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SF 751 
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obo(^ko\^r)er s ^^ vjuide^ 



.BY. 



ID. .ik.•bOT^2<^-a.CI^, 3D. -V", s« 



THE 



Stockowner's Guide, 

TREATING 



ON THE 



Care and Feeding 



OF 



LIVE STOCK, 



Diseases of Live Stock and their Treatment, 

Notes on the Horse, Cow, Sheep, 

Dog and Poultry. 



p. A. cormack:, d. v. s. ^^ ^"^ 

' WATEKTO^N N, S. D. ^ ^" 



WATERTOWN: 
NEW8 PBINTINfj BOUSE, 

mi 



ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF OONGRESS IN THE TEAR l^U, 

BY D A. CORMACK, D. V. S., IN THE OFFICE OF T-lIB 

LIBKARIAN OF CONGRESS AT WASHINGTON. 



PREFACE. 

As a practicing Veterinary Surgeon, I have become 
deeply impressed of the necessity of Stockowners in the 
Northwestern states having some practical work on the 
causes and treatment of the diseases of live stock, especially 
is this so in the states of South Dakota, North Dakota, 
Washington, and possibly other Northwestern states. 

In the state of South Dakota at the present time there 
are not one dozen Veterinary Surgeons. Of course in every 
city, town and hamlet there are self-made hoss-doctors, 
(quacks), who set themselves up as knowing everything, 
when the fact of the matter is, they know nothing. These 
men impose upon you farmers, they pretend to prescribe 
for your sick animals, charge a high price and most invar- 
iably do no good and very often leave the case worse than 
they found it. 

The object of this work is to lay the causes of disease 
and the treatment thereof before the Stockowners of this 
country in the most simple manner possible, so that any 
man who is far from a qualified veterinar}^ surgeon can take 
up this book, readily find out what is best to be done and 
thus save his animal's life. "A stitch in time saves nine," 
is especially true in eight- tenths of the ailments that domes- 
tic animals are subject to. The great trouble with most of 
the publications on diseases and their treatment is that they 
are too complicated for the general reader, and the result is 
that the more they read the less they know about what they 



4 THE STOCKOWNEK S GUIDE. 

have been reading. The further object of this work is to 
tell the reader what he can do and how to do it, instead of 
writing pages telling about what he cannot do and cannot 
possibly understand. 

The price of this book is one dollar, (the price of one 
prescription). How often have you given one, two, or even 
three dollars to a quack for a single receipt that has never 
done any good whatever to a poor suffering animal. How 
often have you tortured your dumb brutes by administering 
irritating drugs internally and externally, that instead of 
giving relief they have aggravated the disease. I have no 
cure-all nostrums that I want to sell. I do not pretend to 
cure any disease, only quacks say they can cure. Nature 
cures all disease, and the science of medicine comes in to 
assist nature in its effort to cure. 

Having thus explained the object of the Stockowner's 
Guide, I hope it may be the means of relieving many faith- 
ful and useful animals, and saving the stockowners of the 
Northwest many times its value. 

Respectfully, 

D. A. CORMACK, D. V. S. 



Diseases and Thier Treatment. 



THE PULSE. 

The pulse of the horse is felt at the inner edge of the lower 
jaw or on the inside of the forearm, and when the horse is in a 
natural state of health the pulse beats forty times a minute. 

The pulse of the cow is best found (when she is lying down) 
just below the fore-fetlock. The cow's pulse beats from forty to 
fifty times per minute except when ruminating, (chewing her cud), 
when it may beat from seventy to eighty beats per minute. 

The pulse of the dog is best felt on the inner side of the thio-h 
and ranges from eighty to one hundred beats per minute, accord- 
ing to the breed of the animal. 

The pulse of the sheep found as that of the cow, beats from 
seventy to eighty per minute. 

GIVING MEDICINE. 

The best way to drench a horse is with a drenching bit, which 
may be had from any dealer in veterinary instruments; but I find 
the following the best plan without the bit, take a loop' of rope or 
the halter strap, pass one side of it into the mouth over the tongue 
and the loop large enough to go over the nose. Let one man take 
a pitch fork, put one tang through the loop over the nose and lift 
the horse's head up. The person with the medicine stands on the 
opposite side with one hand on the side of the horse's head, while 
with the other he administers the medicine. Give the medicine 
slowly. If the horse is slow to swallow have a small vial with a 
little water, drop a teaspoonful of it into his nostril, this will make 
him swallow, ^ever drench a horse through the nose, as it is apt 
to go down on his lungs and set up lung fever and probably kill the 
horse. Where medicine is given in small doses the best plan is to 



^ ^HE StOCKO"VVNER*S GUIDEi. 

measure it out in a cup. Then take a small syringe, say one that 
w"d Xout one ounce, with the thumb of one hand in l^e 
horse's mouth he will open it, when you can with the other hand 
use the syringe; put it into the mouth over the tongue, shoot off 
Z medicine'it goes down his throat before he knows jt, and one 
man can do it. A black rubber syringe with a rmg on the end for 
your thumb is the best for this purpose. In drenching cattle the 
best way is to pass your arm over the forehead, below the horns 
put the hand down to the mouth, catch hold of the upper jaw, htt 
the animals mouth up to your breast and with the other hand give 
the medicine and give it slowly. 

DOSES. 

One teaspoonful of liquids represents one dram; one table- 
spoonful represents one-half tluid ounce; a wine glass about two 
fluid ounces; a dessert spoon two fluid drams; a teacup about Ave 
fluid ounces. The doses laid down are for the horse; cattle take 
twice as much as a horse; sheep one-third the dose of a horse; dogs 
take from one-eighth to one-fourth the dose of a horse according 
to size Very small dogs will take even one-tenth or one-twelth. 
Three-year old colts take a full dose; two-year old one-half dose; 
one-year old takes on-third dose. AVhen possible always have your 
prescriptions put up at a drug store, and be careful to copy correctly 
each item in the prescription. Always be very particular m follow- 
ing the instructions laid down for the administration of medicine. 
Never give a horse a strong dose of physic when there is much 
fever Give him about a half dose, and only oil at that; but when 
there is no fever and the horse requires a good physic, Barbadoes 
Aloes is the best, prepared and administered as directed elsewhere 
in this work. Always reduce the dose or stop altogether when 
you see signs of improvement, otherwise you wiU be very apt to 
bring about some other trouble. Medicine assists nature to cure 
disease. If administered to the healthy animal it will frequently 
bring on disease. Always be careful and attentive in giving 
medicine to the sick, the healthy don't require it. 

CARE and FEEDING. 

"Prevention is better than cure," and in order to prevent a 
large proportion of the troubles that afliict domestic animal i 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 7 

greater care and more regularity in feeding is of first importance. 
Especially is this true in regard to the horse. There is no more 
useful beast in the world than the horse, and he is often most 
cruelly misused by man; by his services he certainly repays the 
best of treatment. There is no climate where vegetation grows 
and man abides that you do not find the horse his willing and faith- 
ful servant. The work of this world would be at a stand-still with- 
out the aid of the horse, and those to whom he is of so great value 
should treat him kindly with the food and protection which he so 
richly deserves. 

Physiologists tell us that the living body of any animal, and in 
a limited sense the body of every living plant, may be regarded 
as a machine for the performance of work, i. e., the overcoming 
of resistance. When you lift a stone off the ground you overcome 
the resistance offered by the action of gravity on the stone. If you 
wind up your watch you then overcome the resistance of the main- 
spring of that watch, this is doing work. When you light the fire 
under the boiler of a steam engine steam is generated and the 
machinery is moved, and then the work is done by the machine. Thus 
the animal body is always doing work, muscles move the limbs 
the heart beats without intermission and forces the blood through 
the body, the chest heaves in respiration, and all the wonderful 
processes of digestion, absorption of secretion and of excretion are 
modes of doing work. 80 the animal body may be thus regarded 
as a machine. Any machine gets its power of doing work from 
without, and after a certain amount of tear and wear it has to be 
repaired; but the most marked peculiarity of the animal body is 
that it is self -reparative; hence the necessity of supplying proper 
fuel and in sufficient quantities and at regular intervals so as to 
keep the machine (animal body) in good repair. Hygenic laws are 
very simple and easily understood, but in many instances are totally 
neglected by farmers and stockowners. If there were greater 
attention paid to little things many serious troubles would be 
averted and valuable animals preserved. I have often seen fine 
animals huddled together in a hut, built of turf, so that when the 
door is shut they can hardly see their own feed box. It is both 
difficult and painful for the veterinary surgeon to treat sick animals 



8 THE STOCKOWNER S GUIDE. 

in such a place. We have many blind horses in this country, is it 
any wonder when they are deprived of the life-giving and health- 
sustaining influence of light? Light is as necessary as air and in 
general they cannot be separated. The chief physical feature of 
heaven is light. "Where the sun cannot enter the doctor does," 
but in giving light don't go to the other extreme and have the eyes 
dazzled with the blinding effect of excessive light. Few horses with 
clear, strong eyes are given to shying or bolting. 

See that your barn is well ventilated, having a good supply of 
pure air and outlet for the impure. Pure air is absolutely neces- 
sary for all animals, and especially the horse. Birds require more 
ventilation than any other animal, they are never found in a con- 
fined atmosphere. The horse comes next, then the sheep, cattle 
are more indifferent, while swine are still more indifferent to pure 
air. If the horse is not supplied with an abundance of pure air he 
will be more liable to disease than even the constitution of his 
owner. But pure air does not mean draught, ventilation is health- 
ful, draught is injurious. Fresh air should be admitted from the 
sides of the building, and the impure carried away through ventila- 
tors leading out through the roof. Stable structures should be 
high, so that if the animals playfully rear up they will not strike 
their head to the rafters. 

Cleanliness is also necessary to the health of all animals. As a 
rule they are naturally clean, and if they were at liberty they would 
never befoul their own bed. A barn floor should always be so con- 
structed as to absorb the watery discharges. I prefer clay from four 
to six inches deep, this with a good bed of oat straw would be very 
suitable. Clay is a better absorbent than either sand or loam; 
while sand takes up about one-quarter its own weight of water, and 
loam nearly one-half its own weight, the clay takes up nearly three- 
fourths its own weight, so it is with oat straw it is a better absorb- 
ent than either wheat or barley straw. The wet bedding should be 
removed daily or the feet will become foul so that thrush and 
canker will destroy the frog and sole of the foot of the horse, and 
footrot and other similar diseases attack the feet of the slieep and 
cattle. Avoid these troubles by cleanliness and a good, light, well- 
ventilated barn. Decomposing heaps of manure should never be 



THE STOCKOAVNEr.'s GTn!)E. 9 

allowed to be near the barn doors or windows nor cesspools of 
Stagnant water smelling like rotten eggs, should never be allowed 
to lie near the buildings, neither inside or outside. Feed boxes and 
mangers should be carefully washed with warm water and carbolic 
acid at least once in two weeks. Good, healthy, vigorous animals 
are the result of pure air andcleanliness with proper care in feeding. 

The average horse is cleaned only once a day, generally in the 
morning before going to work, and even then the cleaning is often 
harsh and only half done. The curry comb, useful in its place, is 
used to torture many a victim by raking the hide until it is covered 
with scratches, and especially is this so when the comb is used on 
the legs, and when the animal is restive from pain the curry comb 
or the foot of the groom is too often brought in contact with the 
animal's ribs as a punishment; such treatment is, to say the least, 
very cruel indeed. 

Feeding is the next important preventative of disease. Inju- 
dicious feeding is the cause of a great many of the ills that afflict 
horseflesh. We have already compared the animal body to a 
machine in many respects except that it is self-reparative. In sup- 
plying fuel to this machine we must consider three things, namely 
the quality, quantity and time. A careful horseman* will always 
have a certain time for supplying his horse with food and water. 
Never feed a horse immsdiatly on entering the stable after work, 
then he is huii^fy and will b.)lt his foad. His digestive capacity is 
different from that of the ox; the horse has only one stomach, and 
a small one at that for such a large animal. To over feed the hun- 
gry stomack brings on congestion, and then your horse may suffer 
from founder (laminatis) or colic. Immediately after work let the 
horse rest or eat hay. This he is compelled to eat slowly so that 
it can do him no harm, after which grain may be fed without 
injury. It is always advisable to feed crushed grain, as in this 
state it is easier digested and the animal gets more nutriment than 
when fed whole. There should be greater variety in the food of 
our domestic animals. Peas, beans, bran, carrots, etc., can be 
had cheaply and ought to be fed to the horse. The result will be a 
finer coat, and less liable to attacks or sickness. The weather must 
determine the proportions of articles in feeding. During the colder 



it) THE STOCkOAVNEil'S OriDK. 

seasons oorii is good as it is rich in fatty matter, but during the 
warm weather, oats and barley should predominate; but much 
must depend upon the constitution of the animal, and, as we have 
already stated, all changes in feeding should be made gradually. 
Animals in a pasture of mixed grasses have a perfect food and 
only require in addition a good supply of pure water. Horses 
should never be allowed a large draught of water immediately after 
feeding, because by this means the food is forced out of the stomach 
too soon into the intestines before that part of digestion which is 
done in the stomach has been accomplished, and when in the 
intestines in this condition it causes pain and then you have colic, 
or some other trouble of the bowels which very often terminates 
in death. Always water your horse before feeding, or if after feed- 
ing let it be at least one hour. A horse should rest, at least, three- 
quarters of an hour after eating grain in order that the stomach . 
may be allowed to complete its part of the digestive process. 

I have tried to lay this question of care and feeding before the 
reader in as plain a manner as possible, so that all may be able to 
understand. I have seen men who hardly have patience to see 
their horse treated. They think this and that is the best remedy. To 
such men I would say, if yon do not follow out a proper line of 
treatment you cannot expect your horse to get better. Don't pour 
down all kinds of drugs in your poor sick animal, it will do him 
more harm than good. In the diseases here referred to, do try to 
do exactly as you are told, no more nor no less. Especially would 
we impress upon you the necessity of studying the care and feeding 
of your stock. As we have already stated, there is little use dis- 
cussing complicated diseases that the average farmer cannot under- 
stand. The diseases referred to in these pages compose ninety per 
cent, of the diseases and injuries that aftlict the live stock of the 
Northwest, and we are satisfied that this little work in the hands 
of any rational man will be the means of relieving and saving 
many afflicted animals. 

HYGIENE. 

There are a large number of intelligent men who seem quite 
indifferent to this very important matter, nevertheless it is a scien- 
titic fact that a great deal of the diseases, both contagious and non- 



THE STOCKOWNEil's G-TTIDE. 11 

gonlagioiis, with which we have to contend, are caused through 
the violation of the laws of hygiene. Hygiene is that part of med- 
ical science which treats of health ; it is of special importance with 
man, why should it be of less importance with the lower animals? 
Hygienic means is a part of the prescription of every careful, intel- 
ligent physician and veterinarian. When tl:^re is an outbreak of 
disease of any kind you should then see that all corners and crevices 
are thoroughly cleaned, and very often if such places were always 
kept clean, disease would be much less apt to break out. 

In all cases of contagious, or sporadic diseases, all parts of tlife 
building should be well tiushed with water, so as to put the place in 
proper condition by the use of deodorizers, and disinfectants. When 
you have an outbreak of contagious disease the first thing to be 
done is to attack and destroy the breeding places of germs before 
you can reach success. Many diseases will not yield to medicine 
without hygienic means, the latter holds the health of the animal 
normal. Simple odors may not be noxious, animal odor is not so, 
unless confined in their atmosphere; but when putrified and disor- 
ganized they are always noxious. Dry pulverized clay is one of the 
best deodorizers, sawdust and charcoal are also very good. Pulver- 
ized gypsum is a very good, cheap absorbant, and should be applied 
freely in drains, cesspools, or any confined places; also copperas in 
fine powder, carbolic acid, or chloride of lime. 

To detect impure air in any room or building, dampen a white 
linen cloth with a solution of the nitrate of lead, hang up the cloth 
in the suspected room ; if the air is impiu-e the cloth will be dis- 
colored. To disinfect drinking water the permanganate of potash 
is used in the form of Condy's fluid. Four ounces of Condy's fluid 
stirred amongst one hundred . gallons of bad smelling, unsightly 
rain water that has been lying in a cistern, or other receptacle, for 
a long time, will, after four or five hours, render the watei? fit for 
use, and perfectly sweet and pleasant, to the taste. 

Care of the Foot. -Shoeing. 

There is no subject relating to the horse receiving more atten- 
tion at the present time than that of shoeing. We can hardly i ake 
up an agricultural or stock journal but what we find something 
said, either for or against, the practise of shoeing. On readii^ 



12 THE stockowner's oriDE. 

many of the articles referred to, we only get the opinion of some , 
theorist who has had no practical knowledge of the subject in hand.) 
In taking up this subject we do so feeling the importance of 
proper understanding of the horse's foot, and how to take care of 
it. We should begin to look after the foot of the colt from its 
birth. If the hoof is not watched and kept in proper shape while 
the colt is young we can never have a healthy, well-shaped foot on 
the matured horse. Every horse owner who is far off from a 
horse shoer should have a rasp and knife with which to dress the 
feet of the colts and horses. There is a time coming when you will 
take that colt to the shop for the purpose of being shod, and if you 
have been in the habit of handling his feet the first shoeing will be 
an easy matter, both to the colt and the man who shoes him. We 
often meet with men who advocate no shoes for the horse. These 
men lay much stress upon having the foot kept dry and hard 
to make their plan successful. Some time ago I read an article in 
which this theory was advocated, the writer went on to say that, 
"everytime the' feet are soaked in water there is a wasting of the 
life-giving fiuid, (the visid matter secreted by the coronary band 
which fills the small tubes of the hoof), it is driven out by the 
water, and, as water is easily evaporated, the tubes collapse." The 
absurdity of the above remark scarcely needs any reply, healthy 
moisture is the life of the hoof. AVe see colts that pasture on low- 
lands where there is plenty of moisture, their hoofs grow rapidly; 
while those on the dry upland pasture their feet become very hard 
and shrunken, consequently we do not believe that water judiciously 
applied to the hoof has any but a beneficial effect. The same 
writer says, "that nature never intended that iron should be put on 
the horse foot." For the sake of argument we will grant that 
nature never did so intend, neither did nature even design the foot 
for such usage as it gets, especially on the paved streets of our large 
towns and cities. Take for instance our heavy dray horse drawing 
a heavy load, watch him as he strains those large, heavy muscles of 
locomotion to overcome the resistance of the load that is attached 
to his body. How powerless his efforts would be without shoes. 
The same rule will apply to light harnessed horses, and racers will 
not only bolt the track but absolutely refuse to use their full speed 



THE stookoavnp:r's guide. 13 

"vithout some protection to their feet. I think we will declare the 
lare foot advocate "out of court." Considering the nature orf the 
"vork required of the horse, shoeing is necessary. Let us now con- 
sider the principles that ought to be followed in this operation. 

Horses are seldom shod before they reach the age of two or 
three years. When they are first brought to the shop they ought 
to be treated with great kindness; each foot should be lifted and 
tapped with the hammer gently. While putting on the shoe they 
should be allowed to rest frequently, in this way we get them to 
understand that they are in no danger of being hurt. As to how 
a horse ought to be shod much must be left to the shoer. He must 
study the shape of the foot, and how the horse uses it. We mean 
by the word shoer, a man who has served a proper apprenticeship 
in learning his trade. How often do we see men who have been 
helpers in a blacksmith shop for a few months start out in business 
for themselves, and up goes their shingle announcing that horse 
shoeing in all its branches is done in their shop. It is unfortunate 
for many a poor horse that such imposters are allowed to do this. 
Shoes should always bare on the wall and on the sole for about 
half an inch. A shoe should be beveled from within to without 
from the heel to the first nail hole, in order that, as the wall groAvs 
down, the bevel on the shoe may incline the wall outward; but most 
shoes are beveled from without to within, thus forcing the wall 
inward and causing contracted feet. Six nails are sufficient for 
any shoe if the shoe is properly fitted to the foot. A red hot shoe 
should never be put on the foot in order to soften it, so that it will 
be easy to cut with the krnfe; spare the life of the hoof and use a 
little more elbow grease to cut or rasp it down. 

In turning the clinches never sink the edge of the rasp under 
the clinches, you can make a stronger clinch without the groove. 
The rasp should never be allowed to touch the wall above the 
clinches, for by so doing the hard enamel, or crust, of the hoof is 
broken, which must result in injury to the horse. Many horses 
are permanently lamed by allowing the shoes to remain too long 
on the foot. I have seen instances of shoes being left on the foot 
for six months; the owners, no doubt, thinking that they had got 
value for their money; but they failed to see the injury done to 



14 THE ^TOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 

their horse. Shoes should never be left on farm horses for a longer / 
time than six weeks, and on roadsters four weeks. In taking otf a 
shoe see that every clinch is properly cut off. Many brutal men are 
in the habit of tearing off the shoe without cutting the clinches, thus 
often breaking the tender hoof and endangering the horse's foot. 
In driving the nails take as shallow a hold as possible with safety. 
If horse owners were more careful of tlieir stock and less careful of 
their pocket books, by patronizing practi<cally qualitied horse shoers, 
we would hear less about lame feet. 

Paring, thining, or removing the sole till it yields to the pres- 
sure of tiie thumb is both barbarous and unreasonable. It is done 
for no more sensible reason than thinking it makes the foot look 
neat, or because soms ignorant shoer thinks it necessary. Like 
many of our grandsire's cruel fashions such as cutting and chopping 
the ears and tails of dogs and horses and other kindred abomina- 
tions. The evil effects unfortunately are not apparent; but if the 
animal should place his poor mutilated foot on a sharp stone what 
pain he must supper. The tenderness and lameness that is apt to 
follow this practice is generally ascribed to anything but the actual 
cause, the result may be a horse crippled for life. "Horses that 
are required to go beyond a walking pace," says a prominent author, 
"are injured by shoes with turned up heels and toe caulks." 

There is no doubt but what shoeing is a necessary evil and the 
less of the evil that can be done with, the better it must be; conse- 
quently, I believe that a tip or three-quarter shoe is the best for a 
driving horse, especially during the summer months. With such a 
shoe the heels of the foot, and particularly the frog, is allowed to do 
the work for which it is intended. The frog is placed there as a 
pad to break the force of the concussion that is produced when the 
foot comes to the ground. The bars also are put there by nature. 
They are the natural pillars placed there to keep the wall of the 
hoof from falling inward; but when the bars are cut the waUs fall 
in and contracted feet is the result. Some horses have naturally 
ve^y weak, tender feet. The wall is thin and apt to split with the 
insertion of nails, such feet always require a thicker shoe. High 
heeled shoes often cause sidebones because the wall pressure at the 
heels is unnatural. The frog is prevented from bearing its proper 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 15 

proportion of weight, consequently the lateral cartilages are sud- 
denly pulled inwards and down and intiamation follows. Navicular 
disease, (intlamation of the coffin joint), is another trouble that may 
very often be traced to high heeled shoes. Hunters are not near so 
liable to these diseases as are harness horses. The same may be 
said of racers, both the racer and hunter are shod with flat shoes, 
the frog is allowed to touch the ground; thus the concussive shock 
which would otherwise be inflicted are modified or destroyed. If 
the sole is thin and tender protect it with a wide webbed shoe. 

In closing we will again remark, that as proper care and feed- 
ing is preventive of disease, so also is proper care and shoeing of 
the foot preventive of lameness. When you see a little accident 
happen the foot don't go on with your work thinking that it will 
not do much harm. How often have we seen a horse get a nail in 
his sole ? All that has been done is to pull it out and then urge the 
poor dumb animal to continue his work. The result is often a dis- 
abled horse, for a few months, perhaps forever; whereas if the 
horse was put in the stable, an opening made in the hard sole 
down to the sensitive sole about one-half inch in diameter, then 
the foot poulticed and dressed with carbolic acid, in one week he 
might be ready for work none the worse of the accident. 

Gaiting" Young Horses. 

We often observe that the action of young horses, after having 
been broken to work is not proportionate, the propelling power of 
the hind legs being more than that of the front legs; in order to 
overcome this, and make them more equal, try the following plan : 
Make the feet perfectly level and straight, shorten the front feet. 
If front action is then too slow put on very light, short shoes. Light 
shoes also for the hind feet, but long in the heels, the heels should 
be turned outward. Fit the shoe close to the wall around both 
sides of the heel, and carry them one half inch longer than the foot, 
the caulks to be one-quarter of an inch high. The long caulked heels 
seem to lessen the action of the foot. 

Balancing the action of horses is one of the most difficult things 
we have to do, especially the trotting horse. Some are low, long 
striders, while others step high and slM)rt. Some require heavy 



16 THE stockownek's guide. 

shoes, and others light shoes, some bar slioes, some open at the 
heels, some concave, some Convex, flat and roHing, some toe weights, 
others heel weights, some long toes, others short toes. For a horse 
that has high, quick and short action, lengthen the toe; but for a 
horse with long, low action and stiff knees, shorten the toe and use 
toe weights. One of the principal causes of bad action of horses, 
when driven up to their best speed, is a soreness in the foot which is 
often caused by improper slioeing. Much good judgment is required 
in shoeing the hind feet of trotting horses. A horse-shoer should be 
very careful in shoeing trotting horses, he should be willing to learn 
from anyone who may offer the most seemingly simple suggestion, 
instead of being pig-headed and obstinate, acting as if he knew it 
all himself. When a man gets to such a state of perfection in any 
business that he cannot be taught anything more, such a man 
ought to be labelled as a living curiosity. 

Care During Sickness. 

We now come to the most important part of our work, impor- 
portant for both the writer and reader. As already stated, the 
principal aim of this work is simplicity, we will try to use words 
that the most poorly educated persons may understand, giving the 
names of the troubles or diseases in plain English, and also using 
the most common term names for all medicines. In the first place 
remember that when a horse is sick he requires rest, don't try to 
work the sickness out of him ; look up the trouble and its cause and, 
if possible, remove the cause; this is the first step in the treatment 
of all disease. When you commence treatment of a case we ask you 
to follow strictly our directions. Don't get weary and jump froni 
one remedy to another. Don't follow the advice of every cranky 
man who comes to your barn. Don't get ill tempered and kick and 
abuse your sick animal; he is dumb and perhaps in great pain, and 
a rough word hurts a sick horse just as sure as it does a sick per- 
son, wiiile kindness cheers and strengthens. 

SCOURING-(Diarrhoea.) 

Caused by sudden changes of food and often by indigestible 
food, by worms in the intestines, by drinking too much water when 
the animal is heated, and other causes. 



THE stockowner's oriDE. 17 

Symptoms:— Purging, the faecal matters are often of a dirty 
brown color, or clay colored, and smelling badly. If it continues 
long the animal loses tlesh, won't eat, and even glanders my follow^ 

TEEATMENT. 

Give 12 ounces of castor-oil and change the food; give no cold 
water to drink, let it be tepid warm, add two handfuls of flour to 
the drinking water; if after 12 hours there is no improvement give 
% ounce of laudanum, % ounce sweet spirits of nitre, 2 drams 
tincture of gentian in 2 ounces of water; repeat this every 3 hours, 
but be careful to let up on the medicine as soon as there is the 
slightest improvement. Keep the animal warm and quiet, this, 
and the tepid water with flour, wiU very often stop most cases of 
scouring. In severe cases I have had good success with % ounce 
oil of turpentine, % ounce tincture of opium, beaten up with four 
eggs and a cupful of milk ; give this once in every 2 or 3 hours till 
you have given four doses. Some horses are subject to scouring 
whenever they are driven faster than a walk, such are generally 
known as washy horses. They should never be put on the road to 
do fast work. 

COLIC. 

There are two kinds. Spasmodic and Flatulent. Spasmodic 
colic may run on to inflammation of the bowels, caused by 
improper feeding, sudden changes of diet, and many other circum- 
stances, such as a drink of cold water when the animal is heated, 
worms in the intestines, abscesses, diseases of the kidneys and liver, 
also from the presence of any irritating substance in the bowels. 

When the trouble is in the bowels the symptoms are: Paiij, 
pawing with forefeet, looking at side, kicking with the hind feet. 
The animal may lie down and rest for a short time, then get up and 
may eat a liitle. Sometimes he will go down on his knees for a 
minute then stand up and shake his body. 
TREATMENT. 

I have, for some time, had considerable opportunity of watching 
this trouble, and I believe that the best plan is to give a good dose 
of physic. There is an irritant in the bowels and the sooner it is 
removed the better. For this purpose give l^arbados Aloes, 7 drams, 



18 THE ST()CKOWNt:R\s GtTlDfi. 

ginger 2 drams, put in cupful of hot water to dissolve the poWder, 
then put it in drenching bottle, add half cupful of syrup to sweeten, 
then till up the bottle with water and give as one dose. If the pains 
are severe give the following: 1 ounce tincture of opium, )4 ounce 
spirits of turpentine, 1 ounce sweet spiritis of nitre, one cupful warm 
water; mix and give in one dose. You can repeat this ih one hour 
if the pain is severe. Warm water bathing over the loins and belly- 
is also good, and warm injeiRtions per rectum. If the attack is not 
very severe one dose of the opium and turpentine may give relief. 

FLATULENT COLlC.-CBloating.) 

This kind is caused by feeding wheat, boiled food, soaked bar- 
ley, or anything that is easily fermentable. 

Symptoms: — The principal symptom is the swelling of the 
abdomen; there is often diflicult breathing. 

TREATMENT. 

Give 1 pint of linseed oil, 1 ounce of spirits of turpentine, 
mix and give in one dose. If the case is bad the animal ought to 
be punctured on the side to let of the gas; but this operation can 
only be done with safety by a skilled veterinarian who has an 
instrument for the purpose. Warm injections per rectum, and 
warm bathing on the sides and belly is very good in this case also. 

A horse attacked with colic in the evening should never be left 
alone through the night, as the pains are apt to return and the 
horse die before morning. 

Impaction of the Colon.— (Large Bowel.) 

This is generally caused by over feeding, especially on dry food 
containing much woody fibre. 

Symptoms:— General abdominal pain, they often push the tail 
up against the wall; you may often feel the hard mass in the rec- 
tum which should be removed by hand. There is great danger of 
the bowels being ruptured before a free passage is obtained. 

TREATMENT. 

Dissolve two or three ounces of aloes in a pint of warm water 
and, after emptying the rectum, inject into the rectum, repeat this 
after two hours. Change the food. 



'fnit STOCKOWNEIl'S OttlDE. 19 

Impaction of the First Stomach.— (Ruman.) 

This is of frequent occurrence in cattle and is caused by the 
over feeding of especially too much green clover, a commodity not 
over plentiful in Dakota. 

Symptoms: — The animal is bloated, the swelling, when tapped 
on with the lingers, is dough-like, and the impression of the linger 
is left on the swelling for some time. 

TREATMENT. 

The animal should be cut into on the left side, a little behind 
the last rib, make the opening large enough to admit the hand, and 
then remove all the food in the stomach. Then stitch the stomach 
first, and afterwards the skin. It is hardly safe for any but a skilled 
hand to do this operation, still very often it is the only hope of 
saving life. In mild cases a good dose of physic will do the work, 
say aloes 1 ounce; glauber salts, 1 lb.; common salt, 1 lb.; dissolve 
the whole in two quarts of water and drench the animal. 

INDIGESTION. 

Caused by improper food, bad teeth, bolting the food, etc. 

Symptoms:— There may be capracious appetite, or loss of 
appetite, sometimes the animal will eat filth and lick the walls. 
There is usually increased thirst, hidebound, irregularity of the 
bowels, scurfy skin. There may be a dry cough. 
TREATMENT. 

Kemove the cause, if bad teeth attend to the same; change the 
diet, see that the animal has moderate exercise, good grooming, and 
comfortable quarters. Common salt helps digestion in all animals. 

Inflamation of the Bowels.— (Enteritis.) 

This is a very fatal disease, in fact the most fatal that afflicts 
the horse. He dies in a few hours after the attack, and it is little 
use discussing it here, only a skilled veterinarian can diagnose and 
treat the disease; it generally follows colic. 

DIABETES. 

This disease is caused by some abnormal condition of the sys- 
tem. It may be through the food, the blood, the kidneys, etc. 



20 TUK STOOKOM'NKP.'S OT'TDK 

Symi'Toms: The aniin;il lias (excessive thirst and urinates fre- 
(luctitly; lie i)ass('s tlie water as clear as the water he drank. The 
appetite is k<><»<K l>"t he is constantly loosinj? llesh. The horse will 
prelcr dirty (o clean water, 

THKATiMKNT. 

(live I ounce of the IJi-carbonate of soda in drinking water 
night and morning for a few days; t;tke Iodine, 1 ounce; Iodide of 
]>ota,sh, ^4 ounce; water, S ounces; mix; give onetablespoonful night 
and morning for a Week. If necessary, after three days recom- 
mence and give for another week; but one Week's treatment gen- 
erally stops the disease unless it is far advanced. 

CATARRH (Common Cold.) 

Syimptoms: The animal may be a little olf his feed, sneezing, 
j)ossibly water running from the eyes, after this there will be a dis- 
charg(> from oui^ or both nostrils. There may be considerable fever 
and dullness. 

TKKATMENT. 

Ke(^pthe animal warm, feed upon bran mashes, boiled linseed' 
and good hay for some days. Steaming the head is very benelicial; 
take a bucketful of hot water, put one tablespoonful of carbolic 
acid in it, hold the head over the water and keep stirring the water 
wit h a wisp of hay. Give one teaspoonful of sjiltpetre in feed twice 
daily. Put blanket over his head and the pail. 

SORE THROAT-(Laryngitis.) 

Sv:Mrr«>>is: Discharge fron\ the nostrils, dithcult breathing, 
can't drink water, glands on each side of the throat are swollen 
There may be no discharge. 

TKKATMENT. 
Steaniing the head with hot water or scalded bran in a bag and 
held up over the nose; bathe the throat with warm water, after 
which rub in a little of the following liniment: Raw linseed oil. 2 
ounces; .Vqua Ammonia. 1 ounce; spirits of turpentine. 1 ounce: 
mix. This will make three applications for both sides of the throat. 
one each day. If the case is verv bad vou will have to s:et a veter 



THE STOCKOAVNEK's GUIDE. 21 

inary surgeon to put a tube in the throat for a few days in order to 
keep the animal from suffocating. Feed Ught. soft food, clothe 
warmly, and keep him comfortable. 

DISTEMPER-iStrangles.) 

Symptoms: — There is considerable sweUing between the jaws, 
possibly all over the head, running at the nostrils, he is off his feed, 
and the head may be so badly swollen that he cannot eat. 

teeat:viext. 

Steam the head A\ith hot water, or scalded bran and carbohc 
acid: bhster the swelling between the jaws with tly bhster: keep 
patient on soft nutritious food. 'SMien sweUings get soft open 
them and keep the parts clean. Should the throat become impU- 
cated treat as directed for sore throat. 

This disease is generally very simple, but sometimes it takes a 
very severe form and requires great patience and care to bring the 
animal tlnough. He may break out in sores all over the head and 
body. 

Stomach Staggers, or Blind Staggers. 

Syaiptoms: — You will nrst notice the animal dull and sleepy. 
If you make him walk he staggers and seems as if he was about to 
fall: there is shivering, he seems frightened. WiH sometimes act 
as if he were to rear up in the manger, sometimes will pidl back on 
the halter. The body is sometimes hot and sometimes cold. There 
may be violent twitchings of the muscles, staring eyes. This trouble 
may attack the animal while out in the pastm-e. He will then 
ramble about in a sleepy manner until he comes to a wall or fence, 
when he will stand with its head pressed against it. 

TREATMENT. 

If this is the first attack of the disease and the animal is in 
good condition, it wiU be a good plan to draw from foiu- to six 
quarts of blood from the juglar vein. Always give the animal a 
good dose of physic the very first thing; 1 ounce of Aloes and 1 
dram of Calomel for the horse. 1 pound of Epsom salts, ^o poimd 
of common salt, and twelve Craton beans for an ox or cow pre- 
pared in the usual way. Keep the animal quiet. Give plenty of 



22 THE stockoavner's guide. 

water to drink but no food. Bathe the head with cold water. The 
physic may take two or three days to work. If the bowels do not 
respond on the third day repeat one-half dose of physic. 

Oxaluria— (Doing Badly.) 

Symptoms:— The horse has a good appetite, eats well, but still 
he loses llesh. He is stilf about the hind quarters; he is hide-bound, 
the skin is scurfy. 

TREATMENT. 

Give a full dose of Aloes. After the physic has worked give 
him one teaspoonf ul of Nitro-muriatic acid in drinking water night 
and morning; give also powdered gentian, 2 ounces; powdered 
Nux Vomica, 1 ounce; Saltpetre, 1 ounce; mix; divide into 9 doses, 
give one night and morning in feed. In this trouble there is also 
apt to be considerable constipation, the water is not passed regular, 
and it is often of a light amber color. 

LUNG FEVER— (Pneumonia.) 

Sy:mptom8: — In most cases there is ditlicult breathing, the pulse 
often reach 70 to 80 beats per minute. There is a dull, dry cough, 
the legs and ears are often quite cold, and sometimes the animal 
will take on fits of shivering. The animal does not lie down, and 
if loose he wanders about in a restless manner, sometimes eating a 
few mouthfuls of food. He generally stands with his fore limbs 
extended in front and nose protruded; but the last two symptoms 
are not always seen. If complicated with pleurisy the breathing 
is more painful, the fever continues for from five to nine days. If 
there is a change for the better at this time, you will notice the 
breathing easier, the mouth becomes more cool, the pulse falling 
several beats per minute, the appetite returns. This trouble is 
dangerous during two stages, first, during the early fever, and sec- 
ondly, during the period that changes are taking place in the lung 
/ tissue which may produce suffocation; but in this, as in many other 
diseases, the most you can do is to give the proper treatment at the 
start, and then call in a qualified practitioner. A horse will hardy 
ever lie down when suffering from any serious lung trouble, he 
will stand with his elbows turned outwards. The ox, however, 



TilE STOCKOWNETl's GUIDE. 23 

generally lies down most of the time. Here it may be stated, that 
the diagnostic symptoms of this, and many other lung troubles, are 
revealed by an examination of the lungs, which can only be made 
by a veterinarian. 

TREATMENT. 
This will apply to several lung troubles where there is much 
fever at the start. Give the fever mixture. Never try to bleed the 
animal; give cold water to drink, little at a time and often. If in 
much pain bathe the sides with warm water, and keep the patient 
well blanketed; bandage the legs. Keep the animal in a well ven- 
tilated box stall if possible. If the bowels are constipated give 3^ 
pint of linseed oil. AVhen the fever is reduced cut off the fever 
mixture to one-half the dose, or if necessary altogether. 

ANTHRAX. 

The term anthrax is generic, it applies to a disease that is given 
different names in different parts of the world. The names also 
depend on the form in which the disease is manifested in the dif- 
ferent animals. The disease appears at all seasons of the year and 
attacks animals of any age, it is generally the worst amongst stock 
that are pastured on low lying lands that have been flooded with 

water. 

ANTHRAX IN THE HORSE. 

Anthrax in the horse is of rare occurrence, in fact it is so rare 

that we need not wait to discuss it here. 

ANTHRAX IN HORNED CATTLE.-Aiitlirax Fever, Splenic Apoplexy. 
The systoms in cattle is as follows: Sudden loss of appetite, 
they stop chewing the cud; they are often taken with shivering 
fits. The animal becomes weak and generally is inclined to lie 
down. The heart beats violently, the mouth is filled with mucus, a 
watery discharge from the eyes and sometimes blood from the nose, 
sometimes the animals are so excited that it is dangerous to 
approach them. Death takes place in from one to eighteen hours 
ft-om the time the first symptoms made their appearance. When 
the disease appears as Black Leg, Quarter 111, Black Quarter, it 
most frequently appears in young animals and often kills suddenly, 
and it generally takes the very best animals in the herd. 



ti TiiE stockowner's oumE. 

Symptoms:— The animal becomes listless, the ears hang down, 
there is pain on pressure about the ribs and loins, the mouth is 
hot and dry. Soon you will see enlargement of one or more legs, 
or about the head, neck and loins. The animal is always unwill- 
ing to move, he lies down and is very unwilling to rise; he will eat 
nothing; the urine is high colored, nearly like coifee; the swellings 
are cold to the touch, and when handled will sometimes make a 
crackling sound. The animal now seems unconscious, staring eyes 
and soon passes away. 

SYMPTOMS IN SHEEP. 

In many parts of Europe the disease appears as Splenic Apo- 
plexy. Anthrax in sheep is known in Scotland among the shep- 
herds by the term J5raxy, striking of blood, etc. Sheep affected 
witli ]5raxy'show the first symptoms in their gait, then tliey lie 
down and rise up frequently, the back is arched and the liead droop- 
ing. The other form which this trouble takes in sheep is Splenic 
Apoplexy, the symptoms are similar to those of the same disease 
in the ox. 

ANTHRAX IN THE PIG. 

There are three forms in which this disease appears in the pig, / 
namely: Anthrax Fever, Anthrax with Tumor, and Gloss Anthrax, j 
The former is very fatal, it destroys life in a very short time, there \ 
will sometimes be very slight signs of sickness before death. In '^ 
mild cases you will notice that the pig is not inclined to eat, he is , 
dull and sleepy, hangs his ears, sometimes he vomits a dirty coffee j 
colored Ihiid, there may be convulsive fits, he often loses the use 
of the hind legs and generally dies. Anthrax with Tumor is very 
rare in the pig; but Gloss Anthrax is more common, especially 
among pigs that are allowed to eat the flesh of other animals that | 
have died with the disease. It kills suddenly, the throat swells up !\ 
very large, the tongue, etc., swollen and seems to rot away. Later | 
the animal will have a very bad attack of diarrhcea, often mixed J 
with blood before death takes place. * i 

ANTHRAX IN THE DOG. 

The disease is said to attack dogs only after they have eaten 
the flesh of other animals which have died with the disease. The 
symptoms are similar to those in the pig. 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 25 

Poultry take the disease with the following symptoms; Loss 
of appetite, ruffled feathers, they stagger while walking, their 
breath smells bad, they also have a bad diarrhoea, they are very 
weak, sometimes drag the wings on the ground, the bill and comb 
become black, sores sometimes appear on the soles of the digets, 
they take fits and die. 

Very little can be done for aniAials suffering from this disease; 
but we may do a great deal in the way of preventing the healthy 
from taking it. When the disease breaks out in a herd, and it takes 
some time to get a veterinarian, we would advise the introduction 
of seatons in the breast. Put some lly blister on the seaton and 
work it inside so as to set up inflamation; but in any out-break of 
this disease no time should be lost in calling a qualified veterinarian. 
All animals which have died while suffering from this disease 
should be buried at least six feet deep or their carcasses burned to 
ashes. 

Diseases of the Kidneys. 

The domestic animals are not so liable to disease of the kidneys 
as the human family. There are, however, a few kidney troubles 
with which the veterinarian has to deal. 

Retention of Urine— (Stoppage of Water.) 

Symptoms:— The stoppage may be partial or complete. The 
animal often tries to pass water by stretching out his limbs, he will 
groan with pain and possibly pass a few drops or he may not be 
able to pass any. 

TREATMENT. 

Very often by passing the hand into the rectum and with the 
open hand pressing firmly, but not too heavy, on the bladder you 
will cause the water to pass off; but care must be taken not to 
injure the parts with the finger nails. If the sheath is dirty wash 
it out with warm water and castile soap. If the water has to be 
drawn by instrument it will have to be done by a veterinarian. 

Incontinence of Urine— (Dribbling.) 

This is a continual fiow of the water, and there is some serious 
cause requiring the attention of a veterinarian. In all kidney and 
);>Ui(ldt;r troubles it i^ ahiio^st iiupoK^sible for any but a qualifietl 



26 THE stockowner's guide. 

veterinarian to determine the seat and cause of trouble. The most 
that can be done is to do what you possibly can in the way of 
relieving pain. Sometimes a horse is taken suddenly with stoppage 
of water, he will paw, lie down, stretch out, look at his sides, etc., 
In such cases give the fmimal 1 ounce tincture of opium, 1 ounce 
sweet spirits of nitre in a cupful of water: if not better in an hour 
repeat the dose. Bathe the loins and back over the kidneys with 
tepid warm water and blanket him well to keep warm. Try to 
press on the bladder gently as directed above. 

PURPURA. 

Generally caused by bad ventilation, bad drainage, or it may 
follow some other weakening disease. 

Syiniptoms:— Generally the first symptoms are pain and swell- 
ing in one or more of the animal's legs, after a day or two it 
increases. Sometimes there are purple spots inside the nostrils and 
lips, very often the lips and head swell up very large, also the sheath, 
belly and breast are much swollen. These swellings terminate very 
abruptly as if a cord had been tied around the part. Small sores 
about the size of a pea are often seen on the legs. These break and 
discharge thin watery fiuid. There is often a discharge of a dark 
colored liuid from the nostrils. 

TREATMENT. 

Remove the animal to a warm, healthy place, where no bad 
smells exist. Give the animal 1 pint of linseed oil to move the 
bowels. Take tincture chloride of iron, 1 ounce; spirits of turpen- 
tine, 2 ounces; water, 6 ounces; give two tablespoonfuls of this mix- 
ture three times daily till done, feed on soft food, and put one tea- 
spoonful of the chlorate of potash in his food twice a day for three 
days. If tlie head is much swollen take a sponge and bathe with 
cold water and vinegar, equal parts, continue the bathing for some 
time. If the swelling does not go down try warm water next. 
Sometimes recovery from this disease is very slow. 

PINK EYE— (Rheumatic Influenza.) 

SY3IPTOMS:— High fever, pain and sweUing of the legs, the eye- 
lids are swollen, copious discharge of tears from the eyes, the inside 



THE STOCKOWNEll'S GUIDE. 27 

of the eyes have a pink color, sometimes a loud cough. This dis- 
ease generally runs its course in about seven days. 

TREATMENT. 

If there is loseness of the bowels it will help the case, if not 
give 4 drams of Aloes dissolved in half a pint of warm water, adding 
some molasses to sweeten, give this in one dose. Give the horse 
one teaspoonful of saltpetre in drinking water, or food, three times 
daily, bran mashes are best. For the fever give Tincture of Vera- 
trum Yiride, 2 drams; Fluid Extract Belladonna, 3^ ounce; Carbon- 
ate of Ammonia, 1 ounce; water to make 8 ounces; give two table- 
spooiifuls three times daily, but when fever is reduced stop this 
medicine. If eyes are much swollen bathe them with the follow- 
ing wash: Sulphate of Zinc, % ounce; 1 pint water. Use a sponge 
to bathe the eyes with. 

CHRONIC CATARRH. 

Symptoms: — There is a continual discharge from one or both 
nostrils owing to the formation of pus in the synuses of the face. 
Sometimes the bones of the face below the eyes will bulge out. 
caused by the pressure of the pus inside. In such cases no time 
should be lost in having the face trephined by a veterinary surgeon. 
There is generally a perfect cure after this operation. 

THRUSH. 

This is a disease of the frog of the foot. There is a black watery 
discharge smelling badly, very often the horse is lame. Jt is caused 
by standing in a wet place, or allowing manure to remain about 
the frog and sole. If it continues long it is apt to run into canker 
of the whole frog and sole, which will have to be cut out and allow 
a new sole to grow. 

TREATMENT. 
Clean the cracks around the frog and apply a little Calomel to 
the parts. Take your knife or a small piece of wood and smear 
the powder down in the cracks. Do this once a day for three days, 
then dress the frog with equal parts of Barbadoes tar and soap 
liniment and the trouble will soon disappear. 



28 THE STOCKOWNER\S GUIDE. 

LAMENESS 

There are two ways in which we may determine wliether a 
horse is lame. First, by moving him so as to tincl out wliich iimb 
is affected, secondly, by manipulation with the hand so as to locate 
the cause of lameness. If a horse is lame in a fore limb he will 
generLlly stand with the foot pointed; but pointing the foot must 
not always be taken to indicate lameness, a horse will often point 
the food when he is resting. If lame in a hind limb the leg will 
either be flexed, or putting the toe lightly to the ground or carrying 
the foot off the ground altogether. With severe pain in both front 
feet, as in founder, the hind feet will be placed well under the body 
in order to take the weight of the body off the front feet, and he 
will frequently throw up his head and sw^ay the body back on the 
hind feet, the front feet being extended forward. If the pain is in 
both hind feet he will stand with both front feet extended back- 
wards in order to take the weight of the body off the hind feet and 
will keep lifting the hind feet alternately. Many kinds of feimeness 
is best seen when the horse is trotting. A horse suspected to be 
lame should be trotted out of the stable, as very often the lameness 
may disappear after he walks even a few yards. To treat a lame 
horse satisf actorly three very important points must be understood. 
First, the lame limb; second, the cause of the lameness; third, the 
extent and nature of the cause. Without these three points 
settled there is sure to be considerable guess work in the treat- 
ment. 

SHOULDER LAMKNESS. 

There are several forms of shoulder lameness. There may be 
disease or injury of the shoulder joint, or it may be a sprain of the 
muscles, or the bursa, or sheath of the tendon of the flexor Erachai 
muscle. Very frequently the cause of shoulder lameness is located 
in the round bellied muscle that winds around the point of the 
shoulder. By manipulating the muscle with the hand the horse 
will flinch. Sometimes there is an abscess formed behind this 
muscle, and frequently it has to be cut into and the contents 
allowed to escape. If the lameness is caused by a sprain, the best 
treatment is rest, cold fomentations for a day or two, then ai)ply 
the sprain liniment, or if necessary the fly blister. In shoulder 



tllE BTOCKOWNEll^S GlTlDiS, ^9 

lameness the horse will always swing the foot of the lame limb 
outwards, making a sort of circle when he is trotting. To see tliis 
you must stand in front of the horse as he comes trotting towards 
you. 

CONTRACTED FEET. 

There are two kinds of contraction, pure and mixed. In a case 
bf pure contraction the horse is not lame, and if so, steps ought to 
be taken to remove the contraction. The best treatment is to 
'shoe the horse with tips instead of whole shoes. Let the horse 
'stand in a clay puddle for two hours daily, but allow him to lay 
down at night. Contraction of the foot is not a disease, but the 
result of disease. When a horse does not put all his weight on the 
foot from some cause or other, the foot becomes contracted; or bad 
shoeing will cause the foot to become contracted. 

The treatment of mixed contraction is a more difficult matter, 
in this kind we have lameness and intlamation. The first step is 
to find the cause and remove it, at the same time treat the con- 
tractions. If the lameness is in the foot or coffin joint it may be 
detected by lifting the foot and pressing with the thumb in the 
hollow of the heel directly upon the joint. In such a case as this 
it is a good plan to reduce the intlamation by the use of cold fomenta- 
tions, after this apply lly blister around the coronet. After the 
blister is worked off put on tips and let the horso run in a soft 
pasture for a month or two if possible. 

CORNS. 

Whenever your horse is lame and you cannot locate the 
trouble, it very often happens that a corn is the cause of lameness 
Have your blacksmith cut down in the heel between the wall and 
sole, and if a corn be the cause of lameness he will find it but 
sometimes they are very deep. ' 

STRAINS OR SPRAINS. 

An injury inflicted upon a ligament, tendon or muscle If a 
muscle there will be pain and swelling, by laying your hand on the 
part It will be warmer than other parts of the skin, if not arrested 
the muscles of the part will waste away (sweeny) If in a liga 
ment the inflamation is apt to affect the joint so that the latter 
may become stiff". 



'30 tllE STOCKOWNER*S &tJlDK. 

TREATMENT. 

Give perfect rest. Bathe first with warm water a few clays- 
then with cold for a few^ days, then apply the sprain liniment well 
rubbed in once a day for a week, after which apply the fly blisteri 
Keep the bowels loose with Aloes. If there is much fever and loss 
of appetite give the fever mixture to reduce it. 
SHOE BOIL.-(Capped Elbow). 

Caused by bruising the part while lying on the heels of sho6 

or hoof. 

TREATMENT. 

When it lirst appears soft and full of water open it at the 
lowest part so as to let your finger into the opening. After letting 
the contents of the sack escape take 1 ounce of white vitriol in 
one pint of water, inject some of this into the sack once daily. Put 
a pad around the foot, or rather pastern, so as to keep the heels 
from the elbow^ when the animal lies down. 

STIFLED. 

The cap slips out of its place. When this happens the horse 
stands with the leg stretched out behind him. lie can't bring the 
leg forward in line with the other. 

TREATMENT. 
Put a strong strap around the pastern and a strong collar on 
the horse's neck; then take a rope, tie to the strap, stand close up 
to the horse's shoulder, let one man hold the horse's head and two 
take hold of the rope and pull the foot forward until the cap slips 
into place. This can be done sometimes without puting your 
hand to the cap. When out of place it always slips to the outside. 
Tie the rope to the collar, keeping the foot about one foot in 
advance of the other hind foot. Then apply the fly blister all over 
the stiple; after two or three days take off the rope; let the animal 
rest for at least two weeks. 

SPRAIN OF THE FETLOCK JOINT. 

This is a very rare disease, though often talked about. There 
are many injuries to the tendons and bursa but seldom to the 
joint proper. Intlamation of the bursa, which is placed at the 
back of the fetlock, forming a groove over which the tendon plays. 



THE stockowner's guide. 31 

Both the tendon and cartilaginous pad are apt to be injured, and 
cause severe lameness. 

Symptoms:— The horse often goes on his toe; there is heat at 
tlie hack of the fetlock, also swelling. This swelling is firmer to 
touch than ordinary windgalls. 

TREATMENT. 

Put on a high heeled shoe in order to rest the parts; when 
severe, and in the hind leg, the animal should be put in slings. 
Constant application of cold water is necessary to reduce the 
inflamation. If there is any enlargement left apply the Eed Iodide 
of Mercury blister a few times. 

RINGBONE, 

Give perfect rest, put wet swabs on the part for several days, 
then apply fly blister. If this does not do have it fired by a veter- 
inary surgeon; but if taken early the above treatment is apt to be 
successful. 

BONE SPAVIN. 

Treat same as ringbone. 

SPRAIN OF BACK TENDONS.-(Sinews.) 

This is more apt to occur in draft horses than any other 
breed. 

Symptoms:— The tendon will often be swollen and hot, when 
you pinch the parts the horse will flinch. 
TREATMENT. 

High heeled shoe to rest the tendon; perfect rest for a long 
time; bathe with cold water, putting plenty of salt in the water. 
If inclined to contract the tendon and throw him over on the 
knees, apply fly blister all the length of the tendon. Use sprain 
liniment before blister. 

PUFFED HOCKS. 

Many young horses have enlargement on the seat of bog 
spavin. Unless there is pain, on pressure, or lameness, we would 
advise letting it alone, with the exception of giving frequent cold 
water bathings. 

CURB. 

This is an enlargement on the back of the hind leg below the 
point of the hock. 



1^2 THE stockowner's guide. 

TREATMEXT. 

One or two applications of fiy blister will remove the lameness 
and enlargemc^nt if taken early. High heeled shoe is advisable. 

CAPPED HOCK. 

An enlargement on the point of the hock. 

TREATMENT. 
High heeled shoe; cold water to reduce intlamation,then apply 
Ily blister. ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ 

Badly iitting collars often cause much paiii to the horse and 

ti-ouble to his owner. 

TREATMENT. 

If an open sore apply the healing liniment. If there are hard 

tumors they ought to be cut out. 

FOUNDER.— (Lamiiiitis.) 

This is an intlamation of the feet and is of two kinds. The 
symptoms of both are alike, but the one yields to treatment sooner 

than the other. , . ., 

hi^MPTOMs:— You go out to the barn, possibly m the mornuig, 
a-Ml imd the horse standing as if his whole body was cramped; he 
v. panting with pain. If in the front only, he stands with the feet . 
oMtstrek^hed wil sometimes sway his body back, putting his 
w'Mght on the heels for a few seconds. If you try to back him he 
wilfeway back but is very unwilling to move the front feet. If 
tlie mliamation is in both the front and hind feet he wdl stand 
with all the four fee*- under the body. The disease is especially 
sc'vere in heavy draft stallions; but in the majority of cases, if you 
pen^vere with the treatment, you will overcome the trouble. 
TREATISIEXT. 
Put the horse's iieet that are affected into a hot water bath. 
I et the water be just warm enough to be comfortable for your 
h-ind as hotter than this will take the hoof off; let him stand ni 
the vvater for one hour. Have enough water to cover thefoot up 
to the pastern. If there is much fever give him ten drops of the 
tinctiire of Aconite Root every howr for four or five hours. If 
there is much pain gi^e him one-half ounce of Thicture of Opium 



THE stockowner's ©uide. )T6 

for th6 same length of time. After taking the feet out of water 
put warm bran poultices on each foot, and change the poultices at 
least three times daily. Use the water every night and morning 
so long*as the pain is very severe. Keep adding a little warm 
water and taking out the the cold when he is standing in the tub. 
If the bowels are constipated give the horse a mild dose of linse-^d 
oil; but never give aloes in severe cases. After the horse beghi? 
to walk on his feet get bar shoes put on, and then stand him nigiit 
and morning in cold water. I once had a stallion that could not 
stand on his feet for any length of time for four weeks^. In sue!? 
cases keep a good, deep bed of straw, and turn the horsie at least 
once every day. Be kind and attentive in dealing with this trouble 
and you will be successful with most cases. This is one of thi- 
most severe troubles that afflicts the horse. 

OPEN SORE NEAR A JOINT. 

This kind of injury often happens and is very dangerous. If 

neglected for some time the joint will swell, the animal will not be 

able to walk owing to the severe pain. There is apt to be a loss 

of appetite, and, by and by, the joint oil, a clear visid fluid, is apt 

to escape. 

TREATMENT. 

If there is any foreign body in the wound it will have to be 
removed. Should there be pus discharging from the woimd we 
would advise a fly blister all around the joint. This will cause 
swelling and closing of the lips of the wound. Two days after 
the blister use the following ointment: Powdered Opium, 2 drams; 
Tannic Acid % dram; Benzoated lard, 1 ounce; mix, apply to the 
wound once daily. If there has been no discharge and it has not 
been blistered use the ointment from the start. Give Aconite and 
Opium to alley the fever and pain, as recommended in Eounder. 

BROKEN BONES. 

There is a belief prevailing that when a horse breaks his leg 
he ought to be shot. This is a mistake. I have had a good many 
colts and some work horses with the cannon bone broken in two 
and every case has made a complete recovery. The last case I had 
was that of a sucking colt. While in the pasture he was found 
one day with the front leg broken about two inches above fetlock 
joint. 



j^4 THE stockowner's guide. 

TPiEATMENT. 

Take two pieces of thick sole leather, cut them to suit the 
parts of the leg, one on each side so tliat the edges will meet. Then 
put the leather in hot water so as to make it pliable, then put them 
on the leg. over these splints wind a cotton bandage abeut four 
inches wide, begin at the bottom and work upwards. Use plenty 
of rtour paste on the bandage every turn you take. When this 
dries it will be solid enough to keep the broken bones in position. 
Should you find the bandage getting slack after the swelling m the 
limb is reduced, take it off and reapply. You will have to lay the 
colt on his side when putting on the bandage, and tie the other 
three feet together, after which let him up but keep him in a loose 
stall. He will not use the limb till it has become united. If the 
horse has been broken to harness it will be a good plan to put him 
in slings. In about three months you can take off the bandage, 
then the animal will use the leg pretty freely. Fractures of the- 
pastern bone is also curable; but fracture of most other bones, 
except the shoulder blade, are very seldom amendable to treat- 

^^^^^^^- SPLINTS. 

This is a small, bony enlargement on the inside of the fore leg 
just below the kness. It is very sore and causes lameness. 
TREATMENT. 

Apply the Red Iodide of Mercury blister well rubbed in. If 
necessary repeat the blister after twenty days. 

POLL EVIL. 

Eirst appearance is swelling on top of head behind the ears. 
TREATMENT. 

Apply fly blister to the swelling, when you find a soft spot 
open it, make the opening quite large, and at the lowest point 
possible, then apply the healing liniment once every day. If it 
does not heal up there may be a pipe formed, and it may be neces- 
sary to have a veterinary operate on it. 

FISTULOUS WITHERS. 

Caused by collar or saddle. Is of the same nature as Poll 
Evil and requires the same treatment. 



THE STOCKOWNER's GUIDE. 35 

GREESE LEG.-(Water Farcy.) 

This is generally found in draft horses. The legs (liind) 
swell, and sometimes little pimples will break and discharge a 
watery fluid. 

tkeatme:n^t. 

"WHien it first appears give the horse a dose of Barbadoes Aloes; 
wash the legs with warm water. If there are any sores on the legs 
take a little White Vitroil. (pulverized), and rub it amongst the 
little sores once daily for a few days. Feed the tonic powder after 
physic has w^orked. 

OPEN SORES. 

There are a great many horses cut up on barb wire, and I have 
letters from all over this state asking what to do in order to heal 
up these sores. 

TEEATME]SrT. 

Take the animal into the barn. If any important blood vessel 
has been cut, take up the artery, or bandage the part for a day to 
stop the bleeding. If any large amount of flesh is hanging loose 
put some stitches into the parts to hold them together. Generally 
the most troublesome cuts are about the limbs. Keep the animal 
quiet, and the parts clean. Apply the healing liniment to the sore 
once daily with a syringe. Never put a bandage on a sore, unless 
just for a day or two to stop the bleeding; bandages on sores does 
much harm. 

CRACKED HEELS. 

This is a very common trouble in the horse, and may be pro- 
duced from different causes. 

TEEATMEXT. 

There is nothing better for sore, cracked heels and picket rope 
burns than the Oxide of Zinc ointment. Take Oxide of Zinc, 2 
drams; Benzoated Lard, 1 ounce; mix, apply to the parts once daily. 
The healing liniment is also good for cracked heels. 

SKIN DISEASES.-(IVIange.) 

This is a skin disease that attacks the horse, ox, dog, cat, sheep 
and pig. 



35 THE STOCKOWNER's GTJIDE. 

Symptoms in the House -.-There are several kinds. One 
kind appears on tlie neck and witliers and may spread over tlie 
body Yon can feel small hard, Inmps on the skm, the scab on 
each is easily removed. Large patches of hairless skin may appear 
on some places. The skin may lie thick and wrinkled. Another 
kind appears on the legs; bnt this kind does not itch so mnch as 
the others. The third is mostly seen abont the tail and npper 
parts of the neck. The little lumps are higher in this kind and 
not so round. This kind is not so difficult to cure as the hrst. Ihe 
symptoms in cattle are similar to those of the horse. 

In sheep there is itching of the skin, patches of wool will tall 
off. By examining the skhi you will tind little red pimples; it hrst 
appears sides and back. 

TKEATMEXT. 

Always remove those affected from healthy stock. Each 
sheep should be dressed by the application of spirits of tar, or 
tobacco juice. Watch the animals closely, as you may require a 
second application. Horses, cattle, dogs, cats and pigs should be 
washed with soap and warm water before applying any remedy. 
After bathing apply the mange liniment well rubbed m with the 
hand; two days after rub in the liniment a second time. This 
is a very contagious disease. 

LICE. 

The only sure plan is to clip off the hair, if it is long and 
apply one of the following remedies: Powdered seeds of Staves- 
acre 1 ounce; water, 1 pint; wash the parts with this. The 
Dalmatian Insect Powder forced in amongst the hair with a blower 
will often kill them. Many people use a weak solution of a 
good sheep dip. A solution of tobacco is good. Any of the 
above remedies will kill lice if the remedy is made to reach the 
parasite. Keep the animal from licking the medicine. 

TICKS 

Are found on the skin of cattle, horses, sheep and dogs. You 
often find them sticking fast to the skin, at other times they are 
loose. The oil of turpentine will always kill them; when sticking 
fast to the skin clip off the body and there is no more trouble. 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 37 

The sheep tick is of a reddish color. They will live for over a 
year on the Heece after the animal is shorn; easily distroyed by 
using any good sheep dip. 

MAGGOTS. (The Fiy.) 

These are very troublesome to sheep during very warm weather. 
They generally appear about the tail and hind quarters, especially 
when the animal is dirty. Sores of all kinds are apt to contain 
maggots during warm weather. Linseed oil, two parts, and oil of 
turpentine, one part, mixed, will always kill maggots. Cleanliness 
and antiseptics will always prevent their appearance. 

Care of Pregnant Animals. 

This is one of the most important matters affecting stock- 
owners. If you have a brood mare and wish her to bring forth a 
live, healthy colt, you must attend closely to the health and com- 
fort of the mother. Moderate exercise is most essential to the 
pregant animal; let her have some exercise every day. Feed her 
on good, nutritious food, for, you must remember, that in addition 
to her own needs she has to supply, through her system, the 
requisite material to build up the bones, muscles, etc., of the com- 
ing colt. Keep the mother in a healthy, well ventilated stable, 
where there are no bad smells and nothing to frighten or annoy 
her. Througli overlooking such important matters many fine ani- 
mals have been caused to part with their young prematurely, thus 
not only endangering their own lives and usefulness, but also that 
of all other pregnant animals coming in contact with them. 

ABORTION. 

When any animal has aborted, (slipped her colt or calf), you 
should at once remove them from the presence of other animals, 
as this trouble is apt to spread to other pregnant mares and cows' 
Possibly the best plan is, to remove the sick animal from the 
healthy when you notice the first symptoms of this sickness. 
TREAT^IEXT. 

Keep perfectly quiet, give sloppy food, and disinfect the prem- 
ises with chloride of lime or carbolic acid. When the pains first 
appear give her one ounce doses of Tincture of Opium and twenty 



38 THE stockowner's guide. 

drops Fluid Extract of Belladona in a little warm water or gruel. 
Give this every hour for two or three hours if she is in much pain. 

PARTURITION. 

When the mare, or cow, is about to give birth to her young, 
tliey should be very closely watched; when the time has arrived 
the most casual observer will know. Animals that are well kept 
seldom have any trouble, still accidents will occur. You will soon 
notice if things are not all right, and if there seems to be a hitch 
lose no time in making an examination. See that your finger 
nails are pared down to prevent scratching the parts. Grease the 
hand and arm, pass it in and see what is wrong. If a foot has 
gone to one side put it right; if the head is not straight bring it 
around. These little things done, before the mother has strained 
and forced it tight into the breech, may be the means of saving 
the mother's life. If you tind that the young one is partly turned 
aroinid and the mother is straining hard, get plenty of help, tie the 
four feet together, then hold the animal on her back while you 
pass your hand inside and turn the young one in proper position, 
Avhen it will come away all right. If the young is dead, it may 
be necessary sometimes to pass a loop of a clothes line around the 
feet or neck. If this is done grease the rope and pull gently, only 
when the mother strains. Where there is much work like this 
give the mother Tincture of Opium in two ounce doses about one 
hour apart. After you are through give her Sweet Spirits of 
Nitre, one ounce; Alchol, three ounces, in a little warm Avater. 
Repeat every hour if the animal is weak, for a few hours at least. 

CARE OF SUCKLINGS. 

No man can have any idea of the large number of valuable 
colts and calves that are lost through the carelessness or ignor-' 
ance of those in charge. There is no time in the history of an 
animal's life that so much care is needed as during the lirst few 
days of its eartlily existence. If you should have to cut the naval 
string, before doing so tie a silk thread around it about three 
inches from the belly; then cut below the thread. If you lind the 
cord broken and water or blood is discharging from the same, tie 
it at once. 



THE stockowner's guide. 39 

If the young one is weak help it up, in order that it may get 
started in its new way of feeding; or if necessary, from any cause, 
milk the mother into a bottle, with a rubber tube and nipple, and let 
the little one suck it from the bottle. If it should turn out,' after a 
day or so that the bowels are constipated, (bound up), give it one 
or two tablespoonfuls of castor oil. Feel with your finger per 
rectum for the little hard pellets; give warm injections to soften 
them. Take a large, blunt pointed knitting wire in one hand and 
pass it along with the finger of the other hand, and in this way 
you will be able to work the pellets loose and bring them out 
slowly. This will all take time and patience, but will generally 
result in saving the life of the patient. 

Scouring is another trouble that sucklings are very liable to 
and in two or three days, if not stopped, will end in the death of 
the anmial. Whenever you notice a colt or calf scouring, lose no 
tnne m givmg a dose of castor oil. This acts in two ways; it first 
removes the cause of irritation, and the secondary etfect is that it 
bmds up, so that very often, Avhen the oil is given in time no 
other medicine is required. But should the truoble continue more 
than twelve hours after you have given the oil, you should go on 
with the following treatment, and so soon as there is sio-ns of 
improvement reduce the doses to one-half or possibly altogether- 
Spirits of (.^amphor, 10 drops; Tincture of Opium, 1 dram; Sweet 
Spirits of Xitre, 1 dram; mix, give in one dose in a little starch 
gruel, two hours between each dose. One tablespoonful of lime 
water m five of milk is good. If the discharges are grey colored 
give the following treatment : Tincture of Rhubarb, { dram • Tinc- 
ture of Catechu, 1 dram; Camphorated Opium, 1 dram; Lime 'water 
2 drams, mix, put in a little tepid water and give in one dose' 
Always be careful not to bind up too suddenly by continuino- full 
doses of the medicine too long. The above doses are for a colt 
under four weeks of age. Calves of that age will require double 
the dose; lambs one-third the dose of that given to the colt Doo'S 
one-fourth the colt's dose. 

CRACKED TEATS. 

This trouble very often liappens in the cow. The best treat- 

r.hw \^ '^"^^'^l ^ ^'^?^ carbolated oil to the teat twice daUj' The 
nealmg hniment is also good. 



40 ' THE stockownee's guide. 

CAKED BAG. 

loathing- with warm water and salt is about the best you can 
do. After tlie bathing dry the parts and rub in fluid Extract 
of Belladona around the neck of the teat. If the milk does not 
pass through the teat, a milking tube should be put into the teat. 
Draw the milk from the swollen quarter several times a day. 

To Remove the Afterbirth.— (Placenta.) 

If the afterbirth does not come away within twenty-four 
hours, tie a two pouiul w^eight to it, this will help to take it away. 
If after half a day this does not help matters, then oil your hand 
and arm and pass in your hand as far as possible and by gentle 
manipulation you can unbutton the afterbirth from the womb. 
Before doing this dress your hnger nails, in order to prevent any 
scratching of the parts; with care and courage you will be success- 
ful. 

RUPTURES. 

This often happens in young colts, but generally disappears 
before they are a year old. Should it remain longer without get- 
ting smaller it will require an operation; but the application of a 
small, round pad, held in place by a surcingle very often assists 
the parts to heal over. It may happen on the naval oi>ening, 
further forward, or in the scrotum. 

SAND CRACKS. 

These may appear on any part of the hoof, in front or behind, 
but it is most often found on the inside quarters of the fore feet. 
When on the hind feet it is generally found in the front of the 
hoof. If the crack is deep, and it causes lameness, the parts ought 
to be well cleaned to the bottom of the crack. This will allow the 
escape of pus and any dirt that may have gathered there. If there 
is a formation of proud hesh in the crack, don't try to destroy it 
with caustic medicines as that will make it worse. After paring 
dowm the edges of the crack, bathe the parts v/ith warm fomenta- 
tions. When the pain subsides, have a bar shoe put on the foot. 
Take a piece of iron about one-half inch wide, and about the thick- 
ness of a dime, make the iron red hot, sink it into the coronet 



THE stockowner's guide. 41 

between the liair and hoof about one-eighth of an inch deep. This 
is done to cut off the crack from the new w^all which is continually 
growing out from the coronary band. Then take some fly blister 
and rub it well in around the coronet, and let the horse rest if 
possible. 

INJURY TO THE EYE. 

Yery frequently an animal, especially the horse, gets an eye 
injured, and as a result you will notice a white fllm gradually 
spread itself over the eyeball. 

TKEATMEXT. 

Bathe over the eye on the outside with warm water and salt; 
one teaspoonful of salt to a cupful of water. Apply the following 
lotion to the eyeball with a camel's hair brush once every day: 
mtrate of Silver, 7 grains; Sulphate of Atropia, 3 grains; Distilled 
water, 1 ounce; mix. Apply a little of this to the white surface 
once a day with a camel's hair brush. This will always take off the 
lilm and causes no pain to the animal. Avoid putting sugar, 
ground glass and such like into the eyes. 

FUNGUS GROWTHS-(Proud Flesh). 

This is often found about wounds on the legs or feet. They 
are the tissues of the part, and should not be interfered with, as 
they generally disappear when the inflammation subsides. When 
after waiting some time you see a whitish, flabby looking growth 
in the mouth of the wound, and there is a thin watery discharge 
from the part, then it may be necessary to take it off. The best 
way is to apply the stick Mtrate of Siver, (Lunar Caustic) to the 
parts once every two or three days, this will generally cause the 
sore to heal up by removing the fungus. 

SORES IN THE MOUTH. 

These are very often found in the corners of the mouth, caused 
by the bit. 

TPtEATME:N^T. 

Slacken the bit, apply the following to the parts twice daily: 
Sulphate of Zinc, 2 drams; Tannic Acid, 20 grains; Tincture of 
Myrrh, 2 drams; water to make 4 ounces; mix. 



42 . THE stockowner's guide. 

WORMS. 

When you see the white deposits around the rectum, and the 
horse rubs his tail against the wall, this indicates that it is the 
small pin worms in the rectum. For this take one ounce of Aloes, 
dissolve in one pint of warm water; add one ounce of Spirits of 
Turpentine, and one pint of water making a quart mixture. Inject 
this into the rectum, and if not kept there one or two hours repeat 
the dose next day. If the worms are larger and are frequently 
passed from the horse in the faeces, give the following powder 
night and morning in his feed: Sulphate of Iron, m ounces Tar- 
tar of Antimony, 1 ounce; Linseed Meal, 2 ounces; mix, give one 
tablespoonful in feed. After this give full dose of IJarbadoes 
Aloes. In a few days you can give another course of the powders. 
For colts 1 to 3 teaspoonfuls turpentine, in a little milk every 
morning before feeding for three or four days. Feed 1 tablespoon- 
ful of charcoal in feed, and aUow plenty of rock salt; if animals are 
properly fed and allowed plenty of rock salt they wiU very seldom 
be troubled with worms. Turpentine is much better than Savin 
for kiUing worms, and it is much safer for the horse. 

COUGH— (Heaves). 

Colts from three to four years of age are often troubled with a 
cough called a dental cough. It is caused by certain changes going 
on in the teeth; when these changes are completed the cough dis- 
appears. There are many other kinds of cough, such as the cough 
of pleurisy, pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. For a chronic cough, such 
as you find in horses troubled with heaves, give 25 grains of 
powdered Digitalis; 25 grains of powdered Opium, and 25 grains 
Gum Camphor; mix, give in one dose night and morning for a 
week, or give the following: Powdered Elecampane, ^ pound; 
powdered Gentian, K pound; powdered Lobelha, % pound; pow- 
dered Ginger, 4 ounces; mix, give two tablespoonfuls in feed night 
and morning. Eestrict hay and dampen it. The above wih reheve 
the trouble. Heaves is an incurable disease. 

GLANDERS and FARCY. 

This is one and the same disease appearing in different forms. 
It is the most fatal disease that the horse is subject to. It is also 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 43 

transferable to man, to whom it is sure death within two or three 
weeks. It is also transferred to sheep, goats, dogs, cats, mice and 
rabbits. Cattle, pigs and poultry will not take the disease. The 
disease m^ originate spontaneously in the horse, ass and mule. 
The real cause of this disease is not clearly understood; but it often 
appears in old horses. Bad food, overwork, badly ventilated 
stables and general bad management will cause the trouble to 
appear. The disease may appear in any one of four forms as 
follows: Acute Glanders, Chronic Glanders, Acute Farcy, Chronic 
Farcy. A horse suffering from Diabetis for some time is very liable 
to become glandered. The discharge taken from the nose of a 
glandered horse, when introduced into the system of a healthy 
horse, may produce Glanders, or Farcy, or both; and Farcy will 
always run into Glanders if the animal is allowed to live long 
enough, then the horse would be both Glandered and Farcied. 

ACUTE GLANDERS. 

There is increased tem.perature of the body, there may be fits 
of shivering for a day or two; then there is a watery discharge from 
one or both nostrils, the lining membranes of the nostrils are much 
inflamed; and small ulcers appear on the membrane; but the shiver- 
ing fits are often not readily observed. There is often palpitation 
of the heart; the appetite fails; the animal loses flesh rapidly; the 
glands between the jaws become large and swollen, sometimes 
they burst open and discharge. The eyes are weak and watery; 
the nostrils may he swollen, there is a copious discharge from the 
nostrils, it sticks like glue around the nose, which impedes the 
breathing; there may be a bloody discharge from the nostrils. The 
urin is pale colored and much of it passed, and the animal wastes 
away for six or eight weeks and then dies. 

CHKONIC GLANDERS. 

There is a discharge from one or both nostrils, when one, it is 
generally the left. The glands between the jaws are hard and 
swollen, very often adhering firmly to the jaw bone. These glands 
are sometimes large and then get small, and then after awhile get 
large again. The horse eats well, feels weU, and appears perfectly 
healthy. The glands may enlarge and get small again, and so on 
for some time before there is any discharge from the nostrils; but 



/ 

/ 

^^ THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 

the lining membranes of the nostrils will be paler in color than 
atu al ft will be more of a lead color. When one nostril is 
"ftlc ed the eye on the same side will often be weak, with a watery 
dfsc^ite A horse may appear all right to the casual observer 
ff^tfsix or eight years and be glandered all the tim^ ^ot only 
hat but he wilfinoculate other horses, and tl-Y ;-y t^^^^^^^ 
disease in the acute form and die in a few weeks. In this climate 
where we have a cold, dry, bracing atmosphere, we see wry little of 
Ls disease in the acute form; hence the greater need there is, for 
k'ping a close watch against outbreaks of this ^^-tructn^, deadly 
di..ase notwithstanding the cry of false economists, both legisla- 
tes and others, against the state spending any money tor such 

'^^^'^- ACUTE FARCY. 

Yerv often the first signs are fever, loss of appetite, and swell- 
in. of the legs, generally one leg. Small pmiples will form on the 
ii:sKle of the thigh or arm, or possibly all over the limb. Ihese 
•oa.'st and a watery discharge, sometimes yellowish, it runs for a 
shorfe time, then dries and a little scab forms over the part, and 
fresh ones break out in other parts of the leg. Farcy may first 
appear bv the horse becoming lame as if it was rheumatism m 
some part. It may disappear and reappear in some other part ot 
the body but the disease is manifested in such a variety of ways 
that only the most careful examination can detect it m the early 

^^''^^^' CHRONIC FARCY. 

This differs from the acute form only so far as it is not so 
severe and lasts longer, and may possibly be stopped if taken at 
the start. The first step in its treatment is good, nutritious food, 
■it d the administration of tonic medicines. Give the tonic powder 
N.) 1 also give four grains of Arsenious Acid, with one dram of 
knx Vomica dailv for four or five days; or give one and one-.half 
ounces of the Hyposulphite of Soda in every meal for two weeks 
'1 Ids may be given in connection with the tonic powder instead of 
tns Arsenious Acid. Touch the ulcers with the Lunar Caustic 
(uice daiiv for a few days. When Glanders has once been in a 
St ible great care should be taken to disinfect the premises. AH 
loose boards, mangers, harnesses, etc., should be removed. All 



THE stockowner's gitidb. 45 

fixtures should be scraped, painted and lime washed, the wash to 
contain at least one pound of Carbolic Acid to each pailful of the 
wash. Give all horses about the premises two drams of the 
Chlorate of Potash, or one and a half ounces of the Hyposulphite 
of Soda in every meal for two or three weeks. Be very careful in 
handling a horse supposed to be glandered, do not allow the 
fingers too near your mouth, or nose, after being in contact with 
the horse until you have thoroughly washed and disinfected your 
hands. Never let a horse, supposed to be diseased, eat out of the 
same box, drink out of the same tub, wear the same hai'ness, nor 
stand in the same stall as do healty horses. Xever buy a horse tliat 
has been exposed to Olandered horses, or has any enlargement of 
the glands between the jaws or any discharge from the nostrils. 
Traders will always say that the horse has just got a cold; but your 
best plan is, to let him get rid of the cold before you buy kim. 

THE TEETH. 

There is no part of the horse that requires more attention than 
that of the teeth. With bad teeth the food cannot be properly 
digested. In many horses the lower jaw is so much narrower than 
the upper, that the inside edge of the lower grinders, and the out- 
side edge of the upper grinders, become very sharp. Sometimes 
the cheeks and tongue become lacerated as that the animal cannot 
eat. At other times the unshed crowns of the milk teeth are 
embedded in the jaw over the new tooth. If the teeth are sharp 
they must be filed. If the old crowns are the cause of pain, they 
must be removed. If the tooth is split, the loose portions must be 
removed. If there is an ulcerated tooth, causing a discharge from 
the nostril, it must be removed. If there are wolf's teeth remove 
them, as they often cause irritation; but wolfs teeth never affect 
the eyes as is generally supposed. 

BOTS. 

These little pests are very troublesome to the horse, ox and 
sheep, but attack each class of animals in a different way. In ,the 
horse the gadfly attacks the animal in summer, during the warm 
weather. The fly deposits its eggs on the hair, about the breast 
and fore legs, as these parts are easily readied by the horse* 



46 THE stocko^vnek's guide. / 

mouth. When the horse hcks the parts where the eggs have beeifi 
placed, the warm moisture of the tongue hatch the ova, and in/a 
very few weeks after this the larva make their escape. Then as 
maggots they are transferred to the horse's mouth, and pass into ' 
the stomach with the food or water. Xow the larva in the con- 
dition of bots, attach themselves to the mucous membrane of the 
horse's stomach. There they stick until full grown, when they let 
go their hold and escape with the f feces. AVhen they reach the soil 
they bury themselves beneath the surface, here they remain for 
about six weeks; they then emerge from their cocoon in the image 
of a perfect fly. Thus they pass about six to eight months of their 
life in the stomach and bowels of the horse. 

Sometimes bots are the cause of abdominal pain in the horse; 
even after leaving the stomach they sometimes reattach them- 
selves to the intestines. It is very difficult to kill the pests; but 
sometimes a dose of aloes will cause them to let go their hold 
Turpentine and oil is the best we know of to cause them to let go 
their hold and be discharged. Feeding an occasional meal of raw 
potatoes for supper is very good for horses troubled with bots, as 
such a meal is very distasteful to the bot. 

There are several other classes of the gadfly, some of which, 
deposit their eggs on the lips and nose of the horse. The very 
appearance of some kinds of gad flies will cause a liorse to run 
away with fright. 

The bot fly of the ox goes through the same performance as 
that of the horse, except that instead of developing in the stomach 
the fly generally attacks young animals. It lights on either side of 
the backbone. Here it pierces the skin and deposits one egg in 
each hole. The egg is hatched in the hole under the skin, which 
causes small tumors to form along the animal's back. During the 
insect's growth the head is placed downward, while the tail keeps 
warbling in the opening through the ox skin, in order to admit 
fresh air. When the bot is matured it escapes to the ground and 
becomes buried in the earth for about the same time as the horse 
bot; after that the cocoon ruptures and the fly is set free, while it, 
in turn, proceeds to torture cattle in order to produce another gen- 
eration of its own species. 



THE STOCKOWNER^S GUIDE. 47 

The bot fly of the sheep goes to work m still another way. It 
is not the stomach nor the back in which the bot is matured. . The 
sheep fly is the worst tormentor of them all. It lodges in the nos- 
trils of the sheep. We liave seen the poor animals so frightened of 
these flies that they would push their nose in all kinds of soil and 
dirt in order to keep the fly from entering their nostrils. Sheep 
will gather together in groups, with their heads down while fight- 
ing the fly. The maggots are deposited here, and the young find 
their way to the synuses of the head. Here they fix their hooks 
and remain until fully developed. The pain thus caused to the 
poor sheep is most severe, by the inflammation thus set up by the 
bots. Sheep owners will say the sheep have grub in the head. 
When the bots are perfectly developed they pass from the sheep by 
the nostrils, become embedded in the earth and mature in the same 
manner as do those from the horse and ox. 

HORSE NOTES. 

If you want your horse to be comfortable in bed, see that you 
groom him after supper. Clean his feet and give him a comfort- 
able warm bed of straw. 

Always speak to the horse before you touch him, especially 
before you strike him. Tell the horse what you want him to do, if 
it is possible and reasonable for him to do it, and he does not, then 
the whip may be admissable. Don't whip a horse when he is doing 
his best with a heavy load, whipping will only make him so dis- 
heartened, that he will not do his best in the future. 

Instead of it being a wonder that some mens' horses are often 
sick, the wonder is, that their horses can ever live with the treat- 
ment they get. 

When your horse is sick be kind to him, for he appreciates a 
kind word just as much as you would under similar circumstances. 

Ground grain is better feeding than whole grain, as the animal 
gets a greater amount of nutriment out of the ground .feed. It is 
bad policy to wet ground feed before feeding for the following rea- 
sons: When the food is wet, the animal is apt to bolt it, thus the 
saliva of the mouth has not acted on the food; consequently the 
gastic juice of the stomach cannot do its part of the digestive pro- 



48 THE stockowner's guide. 

cess, and the result will be that the horse will become afflicted with 
indigestion. But when you feed the grain dry, the horse is com- 
pelled to triturate it in the mouth, and by so doing the food becomes 
saturated with the saliva before being transferred to the stomach. 
The latter organ is then able to take up its own part of the digest- 
ive process and accomplish it in tlie proper manner. 

While straw and hay are proper articles of food, alone they are 
not sufficient to keep an animal in good health. Keeping a horse 
for a long time on straw or hay alone without any grain must 
necessarily bring on disease. 

Tlie proper color of the mucous membrane of tlie mouth and 
nostrils in health is a light red. In disease the color changes. For 
instance, pink colored in Pink Eye; pale colored is due to a thin, 
impoverished condition of the blood. It is slate colored when the 
poison of Glanders is in the systom, and yellowish when there is 
disease of the liver. This rule applies to cattle also. 

Ih'eeding stallions should be reduced in flesh in the fall, and in 
spring it is easily put on again. This is the best plan to keep them 
in a healthy condition. 

If a horse refuses bis regular meal of grain, take it away and 
don't offer it again till next meal time. 

A drink of cold water to a horse every two or three hours on a 
hot day will pay you for the trouble of giving it. It refreshes the 
horse just as much as it does his driver. 

The judicious use of blankets during cold weather has a great 
deal to do with the appearance of the coat of your horse. 

The finer bred the horse is, the slicker will his coat look when 
well groomed. 

If you always treat your horse kindly there will be less danger 
of his running away, or of his letting you have "one" sometime 
when you least expect it. 

COW NOTES. 

Take the chill off the drinking water, and the cow will reward 
you by giving you more milk. 

If you want pure milk, see to it that your cow drinks pure 
water. 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 49 

If yon feed carrots, beets, turnips and other roots to yonr cows 
regularly and immediately after each milking, they will not give 
any tlavor to the milk. 

If your co'w is sick, so is her milk, and it is apt to make you 
sick if you drink it. 

It is a fact that a scrub cow, weU kept, will pay better than the 
best bred cow badly kept. 

Sunlight and fresh air are very important for dairy cows. Take 
a row of cows kept in a dark place and the same cows kept where 
the sun will shine on them ; this will convince you that sunlight 
produces milk. 

Don't allow boys nor dogs to run a cow, especially when her 
bag is full of milk. The pain it causes the animal is severe. 

If you want to have hornless cows, take the little buttons of 
the calf with a carpenter's sharp gouge: This is the best way, and 
causes the least amount of pain. 

It has been wisely said: ''The man who adulterated food 
should be in the penitentiary; but the man who adulterates milk 
should be hung, because milk is used by the infant and the sick." 

Cows, as well as horses, are greatly benelited by grooming. 
Just try the plan and see if it does not pay. 

If your cow tries to cast her withers, attend to her at once by 
raising her up, behind, and letting her down in front. This will 
prevent the trouble. Standing too low behind is often the cause of 
it. 

If the cow is properly fed and in good condition at calving, 
there is seldom any trouble in her passing the afterbirth. 

We wish all farmers to understand that half bran and half corn 
or oats, is better feeding than all corn or all oats. This applies to 
horses, cattle and hogs. It makes a well balanced ration. 

Care bestowed on farm stock is one of the best paying con- 
cerns we know of, both financially and morally. 

The following remedy is very good for badly caked bags: Take 
4 ounces of soft water, 3 ounces of Aqua Ammonia, % teaspoonful 
Spirits of Turpentine, 1 teaspoonful of Fuid Extract of Bella- 
donna, y^ teaspoonful Tincture of Camphor. Shake them well 
togethei- and rub same well into the caked bag. Kub it till the bag 
gets dry and a little warm. Uo this as soon as possible. Then 



50 THE stockownek's guide. , 

take the bag between your hands and try to knead it, and thus 
crush the kimps inside. iSlilk the parts empty as often as possible. 
Keep rubbing and milk often. Don't give the animal any grain] 
feed only hay, and little of that, and avoid letting her take cold. 

Keep your good cows so long as they are profitable. 

If your family are to be healthy, the milk used must be pure. 

If the milk is to be clean the cow must be clean. And in 
order to have the cow clean the barn must be clean. It must be 
either clean or dirty from the beginning to the end. 

Your cows should be watered two or three times daily in win- 
ter as weU as in summer. Don't think that they are not thirsty 
because the weather is cold. In thus neglecting to supply a sufficient 
quantity of water you help to bring on disease in your cattle. 

When you have to use milk from an unknown, or suspicious 
source, it should be heated to boiling point, before being used. 
This will destroy the germs of typhoid fever,and also of consump- 
tion, which are often conveyed to man through milk of tuberculous 
cows. 

When wiU our state, county and city boards of health do 
their duty in regard to this matter of milk inspection and anal- 
ysis ? 

It is impossible to get pure milk from cows that are compeUed 
to drink the stagnant waters that lay in pond holes, creeks and 
dried-up rivers. JNIilk from such sources has brought swift 
destruction to many infants, and will continue to do so. 

SHEEP NOTES. 

Raising good sheep is always profitable. But whether in pas- 
ture or shed, they ought to be kept in small groups in order to pre- 
vent disease. 

One very fatal disease among sheep in Scotland is that known 
as Sturdy, Gid or Turnsick. We have met several cases of it in 
Dakota. It is a parasitic disease, and affects the brain of the 
sheep. It rarely attacks sheep which are not attended by dogs, and 
the reason is a follows: Dogs are often troubled with tape worms, 
segments of the worms are passed from the dog in the pastures; 
said segments are often swallowed by the sheep along with the 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 51 

grass, the erabroyos escape from the ova of the segments, and wan- 
der through the tissues of they sheep until they land in the brain. 
The sheep turns from right to left, or from left to right, according 
to which side of the brain the parasite is in; he steps high, carries his 
head high ; sometimes the sheep may seem both blind and deaf, 
and will not follow the rest of the flock. They often fall and can- 
not rise. 

If sheep are to be kept free from this and other diseases, you 
must destroy the worms that infest your dogs. And when you kill 
sheep or hogs be careful that bladder and other worms are not 
thrown in the ways of dogs, for so sure as dogs eat the parasite in 
raw flesh, so sure will he pass it in some other form, and this taken 
up by the sheep produce trouble in that animal. 

It is both easy and profitable to keep a few sheep on every 
farm. Before you put your sheep indoors for the winter, be sure 
that you destroy all the the ticks that are on them, either by dip- 
ping or otherwise, as the4icks will keep your sheep poor aU win- 
ter. 

Sheep should never be exposed to storms and especially to 
sudden changes. They feel it just as much as a man does. 

If sheep are properly kep^; they will yield a large income to 
their owner. There is profit from three sources, their wool, their 
flesh, and they improve the soil on which they pasture. Mutton is 
always in demand; it is easier to digest than beef or pork, conse- 
quently more healthy. Eighty pounds of hay, turnips, potatoes, 
meal, or any other good food, will make as many pounds of mut- 
ton as one hundred pounds of the same food will make of beef. 
A wild flock of sheep is never so profitable as a tame flock. Be 
kind to the lambs, move about among them daily, handle them, 
feed them something every day from your hand. If this is done 
they will grow up to be tame and quiet. 

If ewes are well cared for there will be no trouble in lambing. 
Never assist them unless you see that their own labor is in vain. 
AVhen there is not a proper presentation, act as instructed else- 
where with the mare and cow. 

Old ewes are more apt to have trouble than young ones. It is 
always best to lift up the lamb and start him to suck. If he is dis- 



52 THE stockoavner's guide. 

inclined to drink, nib him over the back and over the tail, when 
he is standing up. This very often induces him to suck. 

If the ewe owns the lamb she will lick him dry; but if she 
does not own him, you will require to rub him dry, and hold the 
mother till she allow^s him to suck her. 

It often takes a few days to get the mother to own the lamb. If 
the lamb is very weak feed it about one teaspoonful of brandy or 
good whisky in a little cow's milk. 

During cold weather you will often go out in the morning and find 
young lambs chilled, and even lambs a few days old may be found in 
tills state. We have seen the whisky treatment a great help in re- 
storing them to their natural condition. Many lambs have to be 
reared by hand, which causes a great deal of trouble. They ought 
to be fed from a bottle with rubber nipple. When about three 
w^eeks old teach them to drink out of a pan. If you feed the lamb 
on cow's milk, try to get the same from a cow recently calved, oth- 
erwise the old milk is very apt to kill the lamb. If you are com- 
pelled to use old milk add a little sugar and water to it. Always 
give milk to lambs either fresh from the cow,or if cold warm it a little. 
Very young lambs should be fed at least seven times daily, between 
six o'clock in the morning and ten o'clock at night; when a week 
old four or five times may be sufticient. 

CASTRATION AND DOCKING. 

Lambs should be castrated when they are about one month old. 
The best way and the easiest is for one person to sit down on the 
ground and hold the lamb on its back and between his knees. Let- 
ting the lamb's head rest on his breast, while he holds both hind 
legs, one in each hand. The operator, with a sharp knife, cuts 
through the scrotum, take hold of the testicle and draw out the 
cord as much as possible without causing much pain, then cut the 
cord, when the end of the latter will slip up instead of remaining 
in the mouth of the wound and forming a tumor. AVhen the latter 
happens, you must cut the cord over again. 

While we condemn cutting the tails of horses and dogs, we 
believe that in the interests of health and cleanliness the tails 
ought to be cut off all lambs wlien they are about two or three 
weeks old. Lay the tail upon a block of hard wood, take a chisel 
and hold it on the tail about two or three inches from the body, 



THE stockowner's guide. 53 

then with a sharp blow from the hammer or mallet will do the 
work. Draw the skin toward the body, over the bones before cut- 
ting, so that after the cut the skin will slip back and partially cover 
the end of the bone. Put a little pine tar over the cut surface to 
keep it safe from tiies. 

Begin to feed lambs Indian meal, oil meal or ground oats when 
they are three or tour weeks old. 

Lambs should be weaned when they are three and a half or four 
months old. Remove the lambs from the ewes, feed the latter on 
dry food in order to dry up the milk glands. Feed the lambs good 
grass and ground oats. Milk the ewes every night for a week or 
ten days if they need it. Some ewes will do to be milked once in 
two or three days. You must attend very closely to milking the 
ewes if you are to have future lambs well fed by the mother. 

In Scotland the Shepherds used to v/ash the sheep in a run- 
ning stream about two weeks before shearing time. This practice 
is now becoming unpopular. Washing is both dangerous to the 
health of the sheep, and it also opens the way for an outbreak of 
contagious diseases, especially scab and foot rot. 

It is very important to protect sheep from storms after shear- 
ing, as their skin is very easily penetrated by rain, soon after shear- 
ing. 

During the winter months the poorest of the flock should 
always be put in a place by themselves and fed better than those 
that are in good condition. They must all be kept in a comfortable 
shed, with good ventilation and perfectly dry. Regular feeding of 
sheep is very important. They should be fed three times a day. 
They don't like to eat in the dark. Give them their supper so as to 
aUowthem to eat it before dark. As far as possible allow sheep to 
have free access to pure water both winter and summer. They 
should also have free access to salt; comfort and good health de- 
mand it. Sheep should have a run in the yard every day in order 
to keep them in good health. This is very important with breed- 
ing ewes, and in fact it is impossible for any animal to bring forth 
her young in good health and strength without having a reasona- 
ble amount of exercise during the winter months. In an another 
part of this work we refer to some of the diseases that sheep are 
subject to. There are some others which we wiU now speak of. 



54 THE stockowner's guide. 

FOOT ROT. 

This is one of the most contagious diseases tliat afflicts sheep, 
and once it gets started it is very apt to destroy the wliole Hock in 
a very short time. 

Whenever the disease makes its appearance, separate the af- 
fected ones from the rest of the Hock. The best mode of treat- 
ment is to clean the foot, with a sharp knife cut away the liorn 
which covers the diseased parts, as all diesased places must be thor- 
oughly exposed. Then the diseased parts are to be thoroughly 
dressed with some strong solution of Blue Yitribl, Mercury Ni- 
trate or Carbolic Acid. This work is so very important that in 
order to have the work so thoroughly done a qualified person 
should do it. But we will again repeat that on our dry prairies 
there is no need for an outbreak of this disease if the laws of clean- 
liness are observed. 

SCAB. 

This is similar to the itch in man. It causes a great deal of 
pain, and if left too long will kill the sheep. The little insect that 
causes this disease burrows under the skin and hatches its young 
there, the young developes and burrows in a fresh place and hatch 
their young, and so on till they destroy the sheep. 

TREATMENT. 

Eub off the scabs with a brush and tlien dip the animal in a 
good sheep dip. We think that a good dip is one of the very best 
applications for skin disease in sheep and other domestic animals. 
See prescriptions. Short wooled sheep are not so liable to this dis- 
ease as are the long wooled, and healthy sheep are not so apt to 
have the disease as are those that are poor and skinny. Sheep 
raising is a very particular branck of agriculture. The business 
pays well in a prairie country, if it is properly attended to, but if 
poorly managed it will be a more losing concern than any other 
branch of agriculture. 

THE DOG. 

Some men have no use for dogs, and even go so far as to say 
that the dog is of no use to man. It -is not our purpose, at this 
time, to enter into a long discussion in defense of the dog and his 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 55 

usefulness to man. l^ext to man himself the dog stands at the 
head of all animal creation for intelligence and faithfulness. Yea, 
to the shame of our race we must admit that the dog in all ages of 
the world has often proven to be more diligent in caring for and 
protectihg the weak and helpless than many men who have been 
created in the image of God. What would the shepherd do with- 
out the assistance of the hard working Colie dog ? How often do 
we find the daring Spaniel the means of saving human souls from 
a watery grave. 

Hov/ often do we find the noble Newfoundland and Mastiff 
guarding and protecting their master's property from the robber 
and burglar by night and by day ? Even when man will degrade 
himself by becoming helplessly drunk, his faithful dog will watch 
and protect him until rescued. Many a weary traveler is cheered 
and encouraged by the company of a faithful dog. 

We once visited a farm housein western Minnesota for the pur- 
dose of looking at some stock. The men were all at work and only 
the farmer's wife and two childreii were about the premises. The 
oldest child was only about two years old. The woman laid the 
little child on the grass, while near by were several large hogs, 
some colts and a cow. The elder child accompanied the mother, 
who was going to show us the stock. We said, are you not afraid to 
leave the baby near those hogs ? Oh, no, said she, he is well pro- 
tected. W e looked back and saw a large Newfoundland dog trotting 
up to the child. The mother said, " no animal can hurt baby when 
Prince, (meaning the dog) is near." 

With all this in favor of the dog, is it any wonder that the stu- 
dent of veterinary medicine and surgery is compelled to study his 
diseases and their treatment ? We will now take up some of the 
common troubles of the dog and prescribe the best treatment. To 
make a good dog, the puppy must be properly reared. It should 
have plenty of exercise and never be tied up. 

The sleeping quarter should be clean and well ventilated. Great 
care should be taken in feeding puppies, and the diet changed as 
the condition of the discharges would indicate. After weaning, 
give them frequent allowances of milk. But the milk should 
always be skimmed. Sour milk, once in two or three days, is good 



56 THE stockowner's guide. 

as it is very destructive to worms. A little lime water is also good 
once or twice a week. If feeding milk brings on diarrha?a, give a 
change of food to mutton broth, or beef tea or tea and bread broken 
in it. 

You can begin to give meat when about three or four months 
old. The meat must be fresh and lean. Xever give luippies 
unsound food of any kind. Meat should always be chopped up in 
small pieces, and may be either cooked or raw. Rice is good for 
puppies, and a little raw liver is good to move the bowels. 

DIARRHOEA. 

This trouble is caused by indigestion, and can always be regu- 
lated by the diet, especially in puppies. 

TREATMENT. 

If the case is bad, give first a dose of Caster Oil adding thereto 
twelve drops of Laudanum. Milk and Lime Water in the propor- 
tion of four to one is good every three or four hours. If this does 
not stop it give the following: Tincture of Opium 3 drams, Chloro- 
form % dram, Tincture of Kino 3 drams, water 2 ounces, mix. Give 
1 teaspoonful every five hours to a large dog. Should the 
trouble contiiuie more than twelve hours after, give 1 to 2 tea- 
spoonfuls of Paregoric twice or three three times daily. For old 
dogs Dovers Powders is good, in from 3 to 7 grain doses every 
seven or eight hours; but use the Castor Oil first in every case. 
If the discharges are olfensive, you should repeat the Castor Oil 

once every three days. 

CONSTIPATION. 

Lazy, pet dogs are very subject to this trouble. The discharges 
are dry and hard, often passed with "pain. There is often vomit- 
ing, offensive breath and loss of appetite, and sometimes a coated 
tongue. 

TREATMENT. 

In most cases the trouble may be overcome by regulating the 
diet. Boiled Liver chopi)ed up among the food is good. In more 
severe cases give Calcined Magnesia, or Syrup of Buckthorn, 

WORMS. 

Frequently puppies, and sometimes old dogs, lose the power of 
their hind legs, but they recover after a discharge of the worms, 



THE STOCivOWNER^S GUIDE. &7 

What will remove these pests in one dog will be useless in another. 
Consequently, after proper intervals, the drugs should be changed, 
The Santonine Iron Powders is one of the best for round worms. 
Sulphuret of Iron, 12 grains; Santonine, 12 grain; Areca Nut, 1}4 
drams; mix, divide into six doses. Give one every morning, xlfter 
the last, give a dose of Castor Oil. The Oil of Turpentine is also 
good for old dogs. But in puppies give sour milk as directed, and 
the powders. 

FLEAS. 

These pests are very troublesome to puppies. Combing with a 
fine-tooth comb and rubbing tlea powder in the hair will remove or 
kill them. Never wash a puppy; but you may wash an old dog. 
There are two kinds of fieas that afflict dogs, especially old dogs. The 
sand flea {pulex penetrans) and the common flea {jmlex irritana). The 
latter bites, producing pimples on the skin; but the sand fleas bur- 
row into the skin and cause considerable inflammation. 

Never have the dog kennel in or near a sand bank, for in such 
a place the sand fleas are very troublesome. These pests are very 
troublesome; but about the best thing that can be done is to wash 
the dog thoroughly with soap and water; then comb thoroughly 
with a fine-tooth comb and give a good rubbing with a solution of 
boiled Quassia Chips. Put 2 drams of Carbolic Acid in 1 pint of the 
Quassia solution. Dipping the comb in Kerosene and combing the 
animal will often kill the pests. Lice require much the same treat- 
ment as fleas. 

Should Eczema follow, where the dog is always scratching, and 
rubbing the hair off in spots, it may be advisable to use the Mange 
Liniment. 

C031M0N COLD. 

Sy]mptoms: — He loses his appetite, is dull and disinclined to 
move about, the nose is dry and hot, there may be considerable 
sneezing, the eyes are red and watery, 

TKEATMENT. 

Keep the dog v/arm, give him a dose of Castor Oil to move the 
bowels. If there is much fever, give him Tincture of Aconite 
Root, 1 drop; Eluid Extract of Belladona, 2 drops; in a teaspoonful 
of water every three hours. At night give him 4 grains of Dovers 



58 THE stOckowner's guide. 

Powder. If he has lost his appetite give him scraped raw beef 
three or four times daily. Feed Ught. 

INDIGESTION. 

This is a very common trouble among dogs. The rules laid 
down for feeding the horse is also applicable to the dog, so far as 
the proper time for feeding and the quality of the food are con- 
cerned. Indigestion will often cause a partial loss or irritability of 
the appetite; sometimes vomiting. 

■ TREATMEXT. 

The trouble can generally be avoided by regulating the diet. 
Should diarrhtt'a follow, give 1 or 2 teaspoonfuls of Paregoric two 
or three times daily. 

COLIC. 

Symptoms:— The dog is restless, he moans, possibly utters 
sharp cries, there is considerable pain, he moves about with arched 
back. He often tries to vomit and won't eat. 

TREATMENT. 

If there is much pain give him 1 teaspoonful of Paregoric 
every two hours till the pain is subdued, or 10 drops of Laudanum 
in the same way. Warm bathing over the bowels will give relief. 
If he vomits the medicine give double the doses per rectum. 

PILES. 

This trouble is seldom found in any of the lower animals with 
the exception of the dog. The tumors sometimes appear outside 
the anus. 

Symptoms: — Switching of the tail, painful passages, and the 
latter tinged with blood. He will sometimes drag himself on his 
haunches. 

TREATMENT. 

Empty the rectum by manipulation, give small doses of castor- 
oil; take benzoated lard, 1 ounce; oak galls, 1 ounce; tannic acid, Y^ 
dram; mix, apply once daily with the finger; restrict food for some 
time. 

DISTEMPER. 

This disease generally attacks young dogs. There is great 
similarity between this disease and typhus fever in the human f am- 



THE STOCKOWNER's GUIDE. 59 

ily. Dogs with distemper should never be 9llowed to play with 
children. Wlien the trouble first comes on there is dullness the 
animal wants to lie still, there is loss of appetite, at first it looks 
like aT^ommon cold, there is a dry cough, the nose is dry and hot 
there is a watery discharge from eyes and nose. Later it changes 
to a rather thick, yellow matter, the discharge sticks around the 
eyes and nose. There is considerable fever. Sometimes vomitino- 
and constipation. There may be eruptions of the skin, loss of hair 
on parts of the body. The fever generally reaches its height in 
from five to seven days, but some cases take several weeks to 
recover. 

TREATMENT. 
As the disease is self-limited, the only treatment necessary is 
to assist nature to throw off the disease as lightly as possible Dis- 
temper is very seldom fatal. When death occurs it is owing to 
complications such as pneumonia, jaundice, convulsions, appopfexy 
and other troubles. Where such compliactions exist, and the dog 
IS valuable, a qualified veterinary surgeon ought to be consulted 
It requires a great deal of care in nursing a dog with distemper 
He must be kept in a cleaiiTwell ventilated room. He should have 
good, nutritious food. Too much importance cannot be placed on 
the necessity of pure air and good ventilation. One of the first 
steps to be taken is to unload the bowels and castor oil is the best 
While the food should be good, the quantitv must be limited To 
control the fever give the following: Fluid Extract of Beladona 
40 drops; Tincture of Aconite Hoot, 30 drop; Chlorate of Potash' 
l}i drams; Sweet Spirits of Mtre, 2 drams; Water, 2 ounces^ 
mix. Give 1 teaspoonful every two or three hours while there 
IS high fever. If there is a tendency to vomiting and diarrhoea 
give milk and hme water, strong beef tea. Food should be 
poured down his throat at least three times daily. Milk and 
hme water are easily kept on a ,weak stomach. A raw egg is 
good m the milk and hme water. If there is constipation give 
a httle cooked oatmeal. Sponge the matter from eyes and nose 
with Borax and water. Be very careful in changing the diet 
If recovery is slow, a little Cod Liver Oil is good, given twice 
daily. If there is not much fever the following mixture is 
very good for this trouble: Elixir Cal. of Iron and Bismuth 



BO THE STOCKOWNEIl S GUIDE. 

1% ounces; Syrup of Tolu, 1 ounce; Syrup of Squills, i dram; 
Pulv. Extract of (llycerine, 1 dram; AVater, H ounces. Mix. Give 
1 dessertspoonful three times a day. 

PARALYi>IS. 

This is more a symptom than a disease. It is generally seen in 
one or both hind legs, or one or both fore legs, or may be in one side 
of the body and not in the other. It may be caused by wounds or 
fractures. It may follow an attack of distemper, or may be caused 
by worms, constipation, etc. 

TKEAT^IEXT. 

Remove the cause, if possible. Move the bowels with Syrup 
of Buckthorn, in the same dose as Castor Oil. Stryclmine Pills is 
good for this trouble, acting as a nerve stimulant, and must be con- 
tinued for some time, say two or three weeks at a time. 

THE EAR. 

Abscesses often form on the tlap of the ear. Open them at the 
most dependent part. Keep clean and apply the Oxide of Zince 
Ointment once daily. Sometimes the ear becomes itcliy, and con- 
tinually scratched with the claws. Treat it with the Mange Lini- 
ment. 

MANGE. 

This is a very common disease in dogs. It is a contagious dis- 
ease. The dog is continually scratching and rubbing, the skin is 
red and intlamed, eruptions break out on the skin and on any part 
of the body; but generally first on the head. If tlie disease con- 
tinues for some time, the animal will become debilitated. 
TPtEATMENT. 

Wash the dog with warm water and Castile Soap, then rub 
well in the Mange Liniment. Reapply the Liniment without wash- 
ing, the two following days, once each day. 

HYDROPHOBIA. 

Hydrophobia, or more properly Rabies in the dog, is a disease 
about which there is more insane terror than any other disease we 
know of. Why people should be thus terrorized by a disease that 
is so rare passes comprehension. Rabies prevails chiefly among 
animals of the canine species. 



THE stockownek's gfide. 61 

Symptoms:— At the beginning of the disease the animal is 
dull, sullen and nervous. He is inclined to shun company, eyes are 
slightly reddened, he seems listless; sometimes he seems unable to 
eat. If let loose he will bite any object with which he may come 
in contact. He will often swallow rags or dirt of any sort. As 
the disease advances he becomes more restless, may jump at the 
door as if he heard some one approaching. If tied up he will try 
to break loose; they will suffer blows without uttering a murmur. 
If you hold a stick to him he will bite it so hard that his teeth v/ill 
break. Teasing him increases the severity of the paroxysms. One 
of the most diagnostic symptoms is the peculiar tone of the voice. 
It is a sound between a bark and a howl, as if he had a sore throat. 
The desire for food disappears as the disease reaches its height. 
The gait of a rabid dog is very peculiar; it is like a jog trot. Car- 
ries his head low, his tongue protruding, and very often swollen 
and bleeding. 

The progress of this disease is very rapid. They may die in. 
from two to ten days. About live days is the average time the dis- 
ease takes to finish its work. It should be remembered that few 
animals compare with the dog in intelligence and high mental 
development, and as the study of canine diseases is yet in its 
infancy, and may yet prove the existence in dogs of mental troubles 
that are at present overlooked. When a dog presents certain 
symptoms, that are seen in rabies, people run to the conclusion 
that tlie poor dog is mad. They execute him and all canines within 
reach. 

We must remember that dogs often suffer severe pain from 
epilepsy, excessive fear, neuralgia, starvation, tootliache, para- 
sites, disease of the kidneys, etc., etc. Dogs are often in a state of 
delirium caused by the intense heat of the sun; but people base 
their opinion too often upon individual symptoms. 

TREATMENT. 

Immediately after the bite of a dog presumed to be rabid, the 
whole wound should be sucked with the mouth, and as soon as 
possible cauterized with a 'hot iron. If there are no abrasions on 
the lips or tongue, it is perfectly safe to suck the wound. The 
3ucking with the mouth should be continued until the arrival of ii 



62 THE STOCKOWNER S GUIDE. 

hot iron to cauterize. According to the best authorities, there is 
no necessity for a person bitten by a rabid dog to take the disease, 
Tlie amount of fear has more to do with it than has the bite. Hot 
weather has nothing to do with the disease, as more cases occur in 
winter than any other time of the year. Don't keep the dogs tied 
with chains. Allow them plenty of cold water during the summer 
months. 

POULTRY. 

HENS. 

A farm is not complete without hens, and there is no reason 
why they should not receive some attention here. If hens are not 
kept warm and comfortable and fed well they will never lay eggs. 
Provide a good warm, well lighted house for them. Don't let them 
paddle about in their own feed and water. Have things so 
arranged that they can eat or drink without dirtying or destroy- 
ing. Have the perches all on a level, and not one above another, 
as they then will all try to be on the highest one. You require to 
give them outdoor exercise during hne weather; this is healthy for 
them. Especially should they get out in the early morning. 

Young chickens should not be hurried too soon from the nest 
after getting out of the shell. They don't need any food for twen- 
ty-four hours, or more, after being hatched. Boiled eggs, cut up, is 
the best you can give, for their (h'st meal. Soaked bread, cooked 
oatmeal and Indian corn, chopi)ed meat and green food is good for 
them. Let them have coal ashes to roU in. Give them plenty of 
fresh water. 

A hen lays more eggs the first year of her life than she does 
any other year. The eggs of young hens give stronger chickens 
than does the eggs of old hens. 

It does not pay to keep male birds after they are two years of 
age. Keep your poultry properly and they will seldom be sick. If 
one of your hens gets sick take it at once away from the rest of the 
hock. 

Lice can always be kept away by the use of kerosene on the 
perches and in the nests. You can kill all the lice in the house by 
putting a lot of sulphur in a pan, on the center of the fioor, set 
fire to it, then close the door and try to have the place as near air 



THE STOOKOWNER'S GUIDE. H3 

tight as possible. Of course tlie poultry must be outside. After 
this, whitewash the interior roosts, nests and everything else. 

An occasional feed of chopped onions, or about an ounce of 
sulphur in the food of twenty fowls, once in two weeks, is beneli- 
cial. 

AS bran contains more nitrogen and phosphates than corn, it 
is a better food for poultry, and still better if mixed with potatoes. 

Many a bird's constitution has been ruined with medicine. 
Turpentine is good for destroying the thread worms that cause 
gapes. Put a few drops of the turpentine among the grain you 
feed to the chickens. 

Warm milk is excellent for laying hens. Warm food, also, 
will increase their laying qualities. 

There is more money in fat than there is in lean chickens. 

See to it that your chickens are fat and well dressed before you 

bring them to market. 

TURKEYS. 

Put turkey eggs below a good hen and she will be a good 

mother for the young turkeys. Young turkeys must be carefully 

handled as they are very tender for the first four weeks. About 

two hours after they get out of the shell they should be put into a 

warm, dry place. Until they are four or five weeks old they should 

not be exposed to the hot sun. Have their coop placed on grass. 

Young turkeys require careful feeding, and regularly given for at 

least the first three months. They should be fed from the time when 

they are six or eight hours old with bread crumbs and boiled eggs. 

Cooked Indian meal is good for them and also boiled sour milk. 

Uncooked meal should not be given to very young turkeys. Beef 

chopped fine is good for a change. They require to be fed often 

and require a good supply of pure water. Young turkeys should 

be allowed to drink water whenever they want it, without being 

able to get into the water. Young turkeys will not stand getting 

wet, either by rain or paddling until they are some months old. 

Turkeys can be fattened any time after they have attained the age 

of five months. If you wish to fatten them rapidly keep them in a 

nice, roomy place and feed cooked food, such as oatmeal, potatoes, 

oats and barley; have them well supplied with gravel. Turkeys 

well kept are certainly profitable on a farm. 



64 THE STOCKOWNEll'S GUIDE. 

DUCKS. 

Ducks are very troublesome and uiiprolitable if there is not 
plenty of water for them to roam in. The same may be said of 
geese. But if there is either a natural stream, or an artificial pond, 
ducks and geese can be profitably raised. They will wander a long 
distance to get into water. Young ducks should not be exposed 
to stormy weather when they are very young; but they should have 
free access to pans of water, keep the water changed frequently. 
Let their first food be boiled eggs and bread crumbs, they very early 
like green food boiled with oatmeal. After they are about three 
months old they will eat almost any kind of food that an old duck 
will eat. 

Geese, on the other hand, need principally green food, and they 
are more indifferent to water if they get plenty of green food. A 
goose will only lay from twelve to twenty eggs if you allow the 
eggs to remain in the nest; but if you take away each egg as it is 
laved, she will lay many more. Young goslings should be taken 
from the nest as soon as they are hatched, put in a wool nest 
covered and kept Avarm, after all are hatched put them back in the 
nest. They don't need food for eight or ten liours after being 
hatched. Then give them bread and milk; cooked potatoes and 
bran is very good for them. They like their food warm, like 
young turkeys they cannot be exposed to storms. They only 
require to be fed twice a day in addition to what they can 
pick up. To raise poultry profitably a great deal must necessarily 
(le]>end upon the person in charge. Geese should never be kept 
with other poultry, as they are very quarrelsome and like to be by 
themselves. 

FOMENTATIONS. 

AVlien \vai"m fomentations are prescribed, the water should be 
liot euough to Ije comfortable for the hand. If cold fomentations 
are ordered tlie water should be cooled with ice. Very often it is 
not convenient to get ice; then the following plan is desirable: In 
one gallon of water put 1^ ounces of Sal-ammoniac and 1^4 
ounces of Saltpetre. Or if these are not at hand, use the coldest 
water you can get, 



*rnE stockowner's guide. H5 

POULTICES. 

Poultices are made of one or more of the following materials : 
Bran, Linseed Meal, boiled Turnips, or boiled Carrots. Turnips 
make a splendid poultice, as their soft nature is very soothing to 
the inflamed parts to which they are applied. Whenever a poul- 
tice gets cool it ought to be changed by putting on a fresh one that 
is warm. Cold poultices do harm where warm poultices are pre- 
scribed, and where cold poultices are prescribed warm poultices 
might do much harm. 

This same rule applies to medicines. Medicine that is good iil 
one trouble would be very injurious to some other trouble. For 
instance, we give an animal troubled with constipation, Aloes, 
Salts or Oil. The action of these agents is to make the machinery 
inside to work faster and thus unload the bowels. But suppose we 
give these agents to an animal suffering from diarrhoea, the result 
would very prabably be death, because from some cause or other 
the bowels are too much irritated, so steps must be taken to bind 
up instead of relax. If ^here is fever we give Aconite, etc., in 
order to quiet the action of the heart. Suppose we give Iron, Cop- 
per, Gentian, or other tonics wiien there is much fever, the result 
would very probably be the death of the animal, as these agents, 
instead of quieting the heart's action like Aconite, would increase 
the action of the heart and probably hasten the death of the ani- 
mal. 

Mtre, Ether, Rosin, Turpentine, etc., are agents that act 
directly on the kidneys, and are got rid of by passing through these 
organs with great rapidity. Still, in some diseases of the kidneys 
and bladder, these same medicines would be very injurious. For 
instance, a horse is troubled with stoppage of water, the bladder 
is full, and there is much pain, the first thing to be done is to find 
out the cause and remove it if possible. The administration of 
much Nitre, Turpentine and other kidney stimulants causes the 
kidneys to secrete still more urine, when the animal cannot get rid 
of what is already secreted. A very large surface of the body 
blistered at one time with Cantharides, will often bring on inflam- 
mation of the kidneys, consequently the use of this agent, either 
internally or externally when the kidneys are inflamed is v^ry 
dangerous. 



B8 THE stockowner's guide. 

If you are treating a case of paralysis you must give medicines 
that will stimulate the nervous system by administering Nux 
Vomica and other nerve stimulents instead of giving Aconite, etc., 
which would further depress the nervous system. Medicine, like 
food, is taken up by the blood from the mucus membrane, or skin, 
and through the blood they act on special organs or parts of the 
body. Thus it will be plainly seen, that in order to use medicine 
properly its actions and uses must be understood, and then when 
the causes and symptoms of disease is properly understood, there 
is little difficulty in prescribing treatment. If the reader has a 
horse suffering from some trouble that is easily diagnosed, catarrh, 
(a common cold), for instance, he knows it, and will be able to tell 
that his horse has a cold, and will tell what is good and proper 
treatment; but, as a rule, he cannot tell the actions and uses of the 
remedies he uses, he only knows that some other person told 
him that a certain medicine was good for the trouble, and so he 
believes it and applies the treatment. This is all right so long as 
the source of information is reliable; but otherwise a person is not 
justified in using or administering any drug unless he knows the 
action, use and proper dose of the same. Hence the necessity of 
again admonishing all persons in charge of sick animals, to pay 
strict attention to the treatment of every case. Some medicines 
act rapidly, others take considerable time before you can see any 
results. 

Poisoning and Antidotes. 

It is very important that some of the more common oases of 
poisoning should be noticed in a work of this sort, so that some of 
the more simple remedies may be applied without any needless 
loss of time. Aconite in too large doses or too often repeated is 
a frequent cause of poisoning. The symptoms of Aconite poison- 
ing are as follows: Considerable twitching of the muscles of the 
head and neck, there is a discharge of frothy mucus from the 
mouth, the animal freequently act as if swallowing sometliing, 
the mouth is nearly always closed, there is often attempts made 
to vomit, the lips will frequently open and a frothy discharge will 
escape from the mouth, the breathing is very difficult and the ani- 
mal is in much pain. 



THE STOCKOWNER's GUIDE. 67 

TEEATMENT. 

Eor the horse give powdered Charcoal, Half an ounce; mixed 
with a little water, or still better add half a dram of Tannic Acid 
to the Charcoal. Tannic Acid is the best antidote of Aconite we 
know of, but it must be used promptly to be of much service. 
Moderate bleeding from the juglar vein is good. 

ARSENIC. 

Symptoms:— Dullness, high pulse, colicky pains, high colored 
mucus membrane, the limbs are cold, purging. In dogs there is 
vomiting and purging of brown or bloody matter. The animal 
dies in convulsions. 

tkeatme:n^t. 

As horses and cattle are not affected by an emetic, the best 
way to get rid of the poison still unabsorbed is by the use of a 
stomach pump. Charcoal or fine clay given in a little water or 
milk tend to absorb the poison and protect the stomach. For the 
dog give an emetic such as mustard, or salt and water. Then give 
the dog plenty of milk, flour and water, or oil and lime water,, 
whichever of these are at hand. Then send to your druggist for 
the Hydrated per Oxide of Iron, as this is the best antidote; give a, 
dose every ten minutes for three or four doses. 
STRYCHNINE. 

Symptoms:— The animal seems at first to be very restless; he- 
then shows signs of pain, there is considerable twitching of the 
muscles, labored breathing, high pulse, exhibits great fear when 
touched, and die in a convulsion. Dogs often snap with the jaws,, 
and utter shrill, piercing cries. Strychnine is the active principle 
of ;n^ux Vomica, and when a poisonous dose of the medicine is 
given in either form it is pretty sure to prove fatal, as there are no- 
reliable antidotes for ]S^ux Vomica or strychnine. 
TREATMENT. 

It is very important to have as much of the poison removed 
as possible from the stomach, this can only be done by the use of 
the stomach pump or an emetic, but it is very diflicult to use either 
of these, often the spasms sets in. Dissolve Chloral Hydrate, one- 
ounce in two ounces of water ; this will make two doses for a horse^ 
give it per rectum, and see that it is retained long enough to- 



'B8 THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 

become absorbed. Repeat the dose every half hour until the con- 
vulsions are under control. For dogs give from ten to thirty 
grains of the Chloral Hydrate in a teaspoonful of water every 
twenty minutes, (per rectum). Should the animal be inclined to 
sleep, let him do so as long as possible. If after the above treat- 
ment the animal seems to be on the gain and inclined to move 
about, give small doses of Aromatic Spirits of Ammonia every two 
or three hours; give it in water and well diluted. Horses will take 
about one tablespoonful in three ounces of water. ])ogs take 
from ten to forty drops well diluted. Continue this until you 
see that the animal seems conscious. 

CARBOLIC ACID. 

There is no agent with which people are so apt to cause poison- 
ing as with Carbolic Acid. This is owing to the very extensive 
use of the drug, especially as an external application. Carbolic 
Acid destroys germs and prevents their formation, hence it is very 
useful in dressings for wounds. All wounds should be washed as 
early as possible with a one per cent solution of Carbolic Acid; but 
if the parts are swelling badly, a stronger solution would be advis- 
able. The symptoms of poisoning with Carbolic Acid are as fol- 
lows: Dullness, trembling, loss of appetite, probably unable to 
walk, and may «oon die. 

TRExVTMEXT. 

Emetic, or stomach pump. About the best antidote is Saccha- 
rated Lime in doses or two ounces for horses diluted with water. 
The dog will take from one-half to two and a half drams diluted 
in water. A hot mustard bath is good with plenty of hand rub- 
bing. Give stimulants such as the Carbonate of Ammonia and 
brandy. 

In case of poisoning when it is impossible for the casual 
observer to know the nature of the poison, we would advise the 
following treatment: Try to get rid of the unabsorbed poison by 
giving an emetic if possible. Give the following as soon as' pos- 
sible: Hydrated Iron, 1 dram; Powdered Charcoal, 1% drams; 
Calcined Magnesia, 1 dram; water, 2 ounces; mix, give in 1 dose to 
a medium sized dog. A horse will take from six to ten times the 
above dose. 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 69 

It is very important that no time be lost, either to get rid of 
tlie poison by vomiting or by counteracting the eli'ect likely to be 
caused by the poison; no time should be lost in giving a horse, 
cow or sheep such agents as Charcoal, Glycerine, Lard, or even 
Clay, as these prevent the poison from acting on the walls of the 
stomach, and thus prevent it getting into the circulation. Very 
often when small doses of poison have been taken, such doses as 
are too large as a medicine, and, at the same time, too small to* 
destroy life rapidly; if such doses have not been got rid of early, it 
is a good plan to give a good dose of physic in order to have the 
poison worked oft" through the system as soon as possible. Medi- 
cines are very useful and necessary when given in the proper 
doses, but hurtful and injurious when taken in too large doses; 
nence the necessity of being careful in giving medicine in the 
proper doses and at proper intervals. 

There are about 252 bones in the skeleton of a horse. The 
small intestine of a horse is about one inch in diameter and 73 feet 
long, and the large intestine is about 24 feet long, divided into 
three parts. Caecum, Colon and Rectum. The heart of a horse is 
about 8 inches long and weighs about an average of (]^ pounds. 
Cattle have four stomachs known as the Rumen, Reticulum, 
Omasum and Abomasum; owing to this arrangement cattle are 
capable of digesting much coarser food than the horse. 

DRY SKIN. 

Tliis is very common in the newborn, especially wiien there 
are twins or triplets. Rub the first born with the afterbirth and 
sprinkle a little salt on the skin, or rub with the salt a raw egg; 
this will very often induce the mother to own the young ones. 
Mothers should always be allowed to lick their young. The above 
plan works well with sheep. 

PERIODS OF GESTATION. 

A mare may be regularly in heat, and even take the liorse, and 
still be breeding a colt. 

The mare takes from 307 to 394 days, average 340 days. 
The cow takes from 240 to 290 days, average 265 days. 
The ewe takes 140 to 159, average 150 days. 



70 THE STOCKOWNER S GUIDE. 

The sow takes 112 to 130, average 118 days. 
The bitch takes from 42 to 68 days. 
The cat about 50 days. 

PROPER AGE FOR REPRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 





AGE. 






DURATION OF POWER. 




Horse, 4 


years 






12 to 15 years 






Mare, 4 


u 






11 to 13 


i 






Cow, 3 


(( 






10 to 12 


I 






Ram, 2 


" 






6 to 7 


i 






Ewe, 2 


" 






5 to f) 


' 






Sow, 1 


(( 






5 to 6 


' 






Bitch, 2 


(( 






7 to 9 


c 






Cat, 1 


.( 






6 to 7 " 






GROWTH AND L 


IFE OF ANIMALS. 




Man prows for 




. 20 years. 


and lives 


.70 to 100 


Horse 






. 5 
. 4 




(( u 


.25 to 40 


Ox 


n u 


. 15 to 20 


Dog, 
Cat, 


(( (( 


.12 to 14 


a (( 




^u 


u 


(( u 


. 9to 10 


Swiiie, 


<; u 




2 


u 


U il 


.18 to 20 


^heep, 


a u 




. 2 


« 


n u 


. 8to 10 



Proper Doses for the Horse. 

Aconite Tincture 10 to 15 drops. 

Alcohol 1 to 2 ounces. 

Aloes, Barbadoes, powder 4 to 8 drams. 

Ammonia, Carbonate 2 to 3 drams. 

Ammonia, Muriate 1 to 2 drams. 

Ammonia, Aqua 1}4 to 2}4 drams. 

Areca Xut, powdered 3 to 5 drams. 

Arsenic, Fowler's Solution K to 1 ounce. 

Belladonna, Fl. Extract 15 to 30 drops. 

Blue Vitriol, powder 1 to 2 drams. 

Camphor, Spirits of 30 to 50 drops. 

Cantharides, powder . .^ 3 to 5 grains. 

Castor Oil 10 to 16 ounces. 

Chlorate of Potash 1 to 2 drams. 



Tnfi STOCKOWNER^S GtJIDE. 71 

Epson Salts 4 to 9 Qunces. 

Ether 1 to 2 ounces. 

Gentian Root, powder ............. 1 to 1 3^ drams. 

Gentian, Tincture ; 2 to 4 drains. 

Ginger 2 to 4 drams. 

Glauber Salts 6 to 10 ounces. 

Iodide of Potash 1 to li^ drams. 

Linseed Oil, raw 1 to li^ pints. 

:N'ux Vomica, Tincture 30 to 50 drops. 

Opium, Tincture 1 to 2 ounces. 

Prepared Chalk K to 1 ounce. 

Saltpetre 2 to 4 drams. 

Sulphur 1 to 2 ounces. 

Hypo-Sulphite of Soda 1 to 2 ounces. 

Sweet Spirits of Mtre M to 1 ounce. 

Strychnia M grain. 

Tannic Acid 20 to 40 grains. 

Tincture of Iron 1 to 2 drams. 

Turpentine K to 1 ounce. 

Tincture Veratrum Viride 10 to 15 drops. 

For difference in doses for different animals, see page 6. 

Handy Medicines to Keep in Stock. 

Every stock-owner who is far from a drug store, should keep 
the following medicines in stock. There are a few troubles that 
require immediate attention, or the chances are the animal wiU be 
lost: 

Raw Linseed Oil, 1 quart. 

Castor Oil, 1 quart. 

Sweet Spirits of Nitre, 4 ounces. 

Tincture of Aconite Root, ^^ ounce. 

Fluid Extract Belladona, 3^ ounce. 

Barbadoes Aloes, 2 ounces (in 1 onuce packages.) 

Spirits Turpentine, 5 cents worth. 

Jamaica Ginger, 1 ounce. 

Glauber Salts, 1 pound. 

Fly Blister, 1 ounce. 
Have the bottles marked and tightly corked and laid where 
you can put your hand on what you want. 



72 THE stockowner's guide. 

PRESCRIPTIONS. 

FEVER MIXTURE. 

Tincture of Aconite Eoot, % ounce. 
Fluid Extract of Belladona, % ounce. 
Sweet Spirits of Nitre, 1% ounces. 
Ammonia Muriate, 1 ounce. 
Water sufficient to make one pint. 
Dose:— Give two tablespoonfuls every two or three hours till 
the fever is reduced; then three times daily. 

TOXIC MIXTURE. 

Tincture Muriate of Iron, 1 ounce. 
Tincture of Gentian, 2 oinices. 
Sweet Spirits of Xitre, 2 ounces. 
Tincture of Nux Vomica,, 1^^ ounces. 
AVater sufficient to make 1 pint. 
Dose:— Give two tablespoonful three times a day. 

TONIC POWDER. 

Sulpliate of Iron, 1)4, ounces . 

Saltpetre, 1 ounce. 

Linseed Meal, 4 ounces. 
Mix. Give 1 tablespoonful in feed, nio-lit aiul morning, or 

Sulphate of Iron, \% ounces. 

Pulverized Nux Vomica, 1 ounce. 

I*ulverized Gentian, 2 ounces. 

Linseed Meal, 2 ounces. 
Mix. Give 1 tablespoonful in feed night and morning. 

HEALING LINIMENT. 

Sugar of Lead, 1 ounce. 
Sulphate of Zinc, K ounce. 
Tannic Acid, 2 drams. 
AVater, 1 pint. 
Apply to the parts night and morning. 

SPRAIN LIXDIENT. 

Tincture of Arnica, 2 ounces. 
Tincture of Opium, 1 ounce. 
Spirits of Turpentine, 1 ounce. 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 73 

Aqua Ammonia, 1 ounce. 
Water to make 1 pint. 
]iub a little well in once daily, after bathing the parts with 
warm water. 

POWDER FOR HEAVES. 

Powdered Elecampane, ^4 pound. 
PowTlered Lobelia, }i pound. 
Powdered Gentian, 2 ounces. 
Ginger, 2 ounces. 
Muriate of Ammonia, 2 ounces. 
Mix. Give % teaspoonful night and morning in feed., 

MANGE OINTMENl. 

Carbolic Acid, 1 ounce. 
Oil of Turpentine, 2 ounces. 
Oil of Tar, 3 ounces. 
Sulphur, 3 ounces. 
Lard, 1 pound. 
Mix. Apply once every day. 

HOOF 01NT31ENT. 

Barbadoes Tar, 14, pound. 
Soap Liniment, % pound. 
Benzoated Lard, % pound. 
Mix. Apply daily. 

SPASMODIC COLIC. 

Tincture of Aconite, 12 drops. 
Fluid Extract of Belladona, 20 drops. 
Spirits of Nitrous Ether, 1 ounce. 
Tincture of Opium. 1 ounce. 
Water to make 6 ounces. 
Give in one dose. Repeat in one hour if necessary. 

LINI3IENT FOR SWEENYED SHOULDER. 

Tincture of Cantharides, 1 ounce. 
Oil of Turpentine, 1 ounce. 
Aqua Ammonia, 1 ounce. 
Linseed Oil to make 8 ounces. 
Rub a little well in on the wasted muscles once every two days. 



I 



74 THE stockowner's guide. 



LINIMENT FOR PAINFUL SWELLINGS. 

Muriate of Ammonia, 2 ounces. 
Sugar of Lead, m ounces. 
Laudanum, 2 ounces, 
Arnica, 2 ounces. 
Water to make 1 quart. 
Bathe the swellings three times daily. 

WOini POWDER FOR PUPPY THREE MONTHS OLD. 

Sulphuret of Iron, 12 grains. 
Sautonine, 12 grains, 
xireaca Nut, 1 dram. 1 

Divide into 8 doses. Give one every morning. 
MANGE LINIMENT. 
Carbolic Acid, }{ ounce. 
Sulphur, 1 ounce. 
Oil of Turpentine, 1 ounce. 
Oil of Tar, 2 ounces. 
Linseed Oil to make 1 pint. 
After bathing the parts with warm water and soap, rub some 
of this weU in once in two days; but only wash before the first 
application. Don't let animals lick the medicine. 

FLY BLISTER. 

Powdered Cantharides, 2 drams. 

Oil of Turpentine, 2 drams. 

Lard, 1 ounce. 
Melt the Lard and then put in the Turpentine and Canthar- 
ides. Mix it well and let it cool. 

How TO Use It:— Rub it well in on the part where applied; 
twenty-four hours after, grease the part, and grease it once daily 
for 15 days. After 20 days you can reapply the blister if neces- 
sary. Tie the horse'a head so that he cannot lick the blister for at 
least two days. - 

IODIDE OF MERCURY BLISTER. 

Bin Iodide of Mercury, 1 dram. 
Vaseline, 1 ounce. 
Mix. Apply in the same manner as the fly blister. Always 
rub m a blister with your hand, taking little at a time on your 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 75 

hand so that there is no waste. As to the quantity to be used, it 
must depend on the judgment of the user. 

The Mercurial Blister is used in bony enlargements, such as 
splints, ringbone, etc. 

While the Fly Blister is best for curb, swollen glands and 
sprained tendons. 

ANODYNE LINIMENT. 
For Sore Swellings, Where There is Much Pain. 

Sugar of Lead, 1 ounce. 

Tincture of Myrrh, 1 ounce. 

Fluid Extract of Witchazel, 2 ounces. 

Alcohol, 2 ounces. 

Water to make 1 pint. 

After bathing the parts with warm water and salt, rub some 

of the above well in once daily. This is good for sore tendons of 

young trotting horses. After rubbing in the liniment, bandage the 

legs. 

OXIDE OF ZINC OINTMENT. 

Benzoated Lard, 1 ounce. 

Zinc Oxide, l}i drams; mix. 

Apply once daily. 

Dissolve 2 ounces of common salt in 1 pint of warm water, 
then add 1 pint of vinegar. This makes a good wash for sore ten- 
dons on young driving horses. After bathing the parts w^ell with 
the above put on bandages. 

Common salt is a good application for cancerous sores about 
the legs of horses or cattle. Apply the salt freely to the raw sur- 
face once every day. 

Great care should be observed in the use of medicine; be 
exact in measuring doses; always give the medicine as directed. 
Xever allow any person to handle the medicine you are giving 
to a sick animal; only the nurse should have access to the medi- 
cine. 

SHEEP DIPS. 

The folloving is recommended as good dips for sheep. It has 
also proven a useful wash for the destruction of lice on horses and 
cattle: 

Boil 2 gallons of water and put 1}4 pounds of soap in it; add 
4 gallons of Kerosene, aiid 1 gallon of the Oil of Tar; stir it well 



76 THE STOCKOWNER S GUIDE. 

together for 15 or 20 minutes after beginning to boil. One gallon 
of this in 8 of water is about the proper 'strength to use it. Those 
who have tried it say this is a good dip. 

Another plan is to take 2 gallons of Kerosene to 13^ of milk; 
boil the milk for at least fifteen minutes before putting in the Ker- 
osene; add % gallon Oil of Tar, and stir them together until well 
mixed. One gallon of this in 10 gallons of soft water is very 
highly spoken of as a sheep dip. 

Another good sheep dip is the following: Put 1^^ pounds of 
Arsenic in 100 gallons of water; or the best plan is to put 13^ pounds 
of Arsenic in 25 gallons of boiling water; add to this m pounds of 
Carbonate of Soda, 43^ pounds of Soft Soap, and 3 pounds of Sulphur; 
stir well together; then add cold water sufficient to make 100 gallons. 
This will be enough dip for at least 100 sheep. Never aUow the ani- 
mal's head to enter the dip, and hold tlie sheep in the bath about 
forty seconds; then strain all the dip out of the wool back into the 
tub. The above mixtures are good for the destruction of lice and 
other parasites on horses and cattle also; but be careful not to 
allow the animals to lick the medicine off any part of the body, as 
it is apt to cause poisoning. Be careful, also, not to allow the 
dipped sheep to walk over grass while the dip is liable to drip on 
the grass, and the sheep become poisoned by eating the grass. 

USEFUL TABLES. 

The following tables have been collected from different sources, 
we believe them to be reliable and feel justified in giving them a 
place in this work : 

Quantity of hay, or its equivalent, required per day by each 
100 pounds of Uve weight of various animals: 

Working horses 3.8 lbs. 

Working oxen 2.41 " 

Fattening oxen 5 " 

Milch cows 2.25 .to 2.40 " 

Young cattle 3.8 " 

Steers 2.84 " 

Pigs 3 «' 

Sheep 3 u 



THE STOCKOWNEIl'S GUIDE. 7t 

RELATIVE YALITE OF FOOD FOR CATTLE. 

100 pounds of good hay is about equal to 400 lbs. green clover, 
275 lbs. green corn, 374 lbs. wheat straw, 442 lbs. rye straw, 195 
lbs. oat straw, 400 lbs. dry corn stalks, 270 lbs. carrots, 54 lbs. rye, 
45 lbs. wheat, 57 lbs. barley, 59 lbs. corn, 69 lbs. linseed cake, 105 lbs. 
wheat bran. Of course the care which animals receive, also their 
age and condition, will modify the effect of any kind of food; but 
no animal can be profitably kept on one kind of food. 
RULE FOR MEASURING HAY. 

'Multiply the height in yards by the length in yards, and that 
by the widtli in yards, and divide the product by fifteen. The quo- 
tient will be the number of tons. 

RULE FOR MEASURING GRAIN IN A BIN. 
IMultiply the length in inches by the breadth in inches, and 
that by the depth in inches and divide the product by 2150, (the 
number of cubic inches in a bushel), and for heaped bushels by 
2748, and the quotient will give the number of bushels. 

RULE FOR FINDING THE QUANTITY OF CORN IN EAR IN CRIBS. 

Multiply length by height and then by width, add 2 ciphers to 
the result and divide by 124; this gives the number of bushels of 
ears, (level measure). Divide by 2 to find the number of bushels 
of shelled corn. 

ANOTHER RULE. - 

Multiply the length, breadth and height together in feet to 
obtain the cubic feet. Multiply this product by 4 and strike oft" the 
the right hand figure and the result will give very nearly the num- 
ber of bushels of shelled corn. 

STANDARD WEIGHTS OF GRAIN PER BUSHEL. 

Wheat ^jO lbs. 

Corn o^' " 

Rye 56 " 

Barlev ^^ " 

Oats: 32 " 

A HANDY WAY TO MEASURE LAND. 

968 yards long by 5 yards wide contains 1 acre; 484 yards 
long by 10 vards wide contains 1 acre; 242 yards long by 20 
yards wide contains 1 acre; 80 yards wide by 603^ yards long con- 



78 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 



tains 1 acre; 60 feet wide by 726 feet long contains 1 acre; 130 feet 
wide by 363 feet long contains 1 acre; 320 feet wide by 1813^ feet 
long contains 1 acre, and 440 feet wide by 09 feet long contains 1 
acre. 

♦)0 drops 1 dram. 

8 drams 1 onnce. 

16 ounces 1 pound or pint. 

2 pints 1 quart. 

4 quarts 1 gallon. 

QUANTITY OF SEED PER ACRE. 

Wheat 11^ to 2 bushels. 

I^arley li^ to 2 3^ 

Oats 2 to 4 

Buckwheat }4tol% 

Millet 1 to 11^ 

Kye 1 to 2 

^^eans i^ to 13^ 

('om 1^ tol 

P^as 2M to3i^ 

Hemp 1 to 11^ 

Flax i^to2 

l^ice 2 to 21^ 

Potatoes 5 to 10 

Timothy 12 to 24 quarts 

Mustard 8 to 10 " 

T^"'iiips 2 to 3 lbs. 

Ked Clover 10 to 16 " 

White Clover 3 to 4 " 

Blue Grass 10 to 15 " 

Orchard Grass 20 to 30 " 

QUANTITY OF SEED PER ACRE IN ROWS. 

Indian corn 1^ to 1 bushel. 

Broom corn MB to 14 

Peas 11^ to 2 

I^eans MtolK 

Parsnips 4 to 5 

gnions 4 to5 

Beets 4 to 6 

Carrots '. ; *. ". . 2 to 23^ 



THE STOCKOWNER's GUIDE. 79 

WORK OF TEAM. 

One team, moving 2 miles per lioiir, will plow in ten hours: 
Width of furrow, 16 inches, 3.2 acres. 

u u u J4 u 2.8 " 

u u u 12 " 2.4 " 

«' " " 11 «' 2.2 " 

" " " 9 " 1.8 " 

" " " 8 " 1.6 " 

SURVEYOR'S SQUARE MEASURE. 

625 square links 1 pole. 

16 poles 1 square chain. 

10 square chains. 1 acre. 

36 square miles 1 township. 

SURVEYOR'S LONG MEASURE. 

7.92 inches 1 link. 

25 links 1 rod. 

4 rods, or 66 feet 1 chain. 

80 chains 1 mile. 

MILLET HAY. 

During the winter and spring of 1890 there was a great deal of 
trouble among horses in the northeastern part of this state. There 
seemed to be something very pecular in the way that animals were 
attacked. The symptoms did not correspond with those of any 
other disease familiar to us, consequently we began to investigate 
the matter with the following result: 

Symptoms:— The horse is taken suddenly lame in one or more 
limbs, generally in the hock joint; it may disappear in a day or two 
and reappear in another leg. Sometimes the lameness would 
appear in the muscles over the kidneys which would be very much 
swollen, at other times the animal would appear stiff all over the 
body as if foundered. 

One case was that of a young horse not feeling well for some 
days; his owner had him hitched up in a cutter and drove him 
about fourteen miles. When about seven miles from home the 
horse began to act worse, so his mate had to do all the pulling. 



80 THE STOCIvOWNER S GUIDE. 

When about one mile from home the sick animal laid down in the 
snow. We were called out to see him, and found that the poor 
animal was hardly fit to stand up. We had a large sled brought 
out, and, with the assistance of a few men, got the horse in the 
sleigh. On reaching home he was dragged into the barn and by the 
use of stimulants and hand rubbing was able to stand up witliin 
an hour; but for two months he suffered the most excruciating 
pain in tlie hock joints. The pain then went to the fetlock joints, 
and around both the hind fetlocks there appeared hard, painful 
swellings. These enlargements were blistered witli the Bin Iodide 
of Mercury blister three times, after which the horse was turned 
out to grass. Up to the present time he has done no work, but is 
gradually improving. We attended to over fifty cases, all of which 
had nearly the same symptoms and several terminated fatally. For 
the first few weeks the animal lies down most of the time and 
exhibits great pain. They often need to be assisted in getting up 
to their feet. In nearly every instance these horses were fed 
unthrashed millet during the winter months, and this, w^e believe, 
to be the cause of all the trouble. 

Very soon after you feed millet, (hay and seed), to your horses 
you notice that they urinate often, in fact they continually flood 
the stall, thus it will be seen that the kidneys are over worked. 
The millet is a very rich food for horses, especially when they are 
not doing work in the winter months; the blood is loaded with 
certain ingredients and disease is the result. vSeveral cases were 
examined after death, in all of which we found the blood thick 
and tar like, and other post-mortem appearances which led us to 
believe that millet feeding was the cause. We consulted several 
authorities regarding this matter, and they agreed in conclusion 
that feeding unthrashed millet was the cause of the trouble. On 
the other hand millet hay is a good food for cattle and sheep, but 
it is best mixed with other hay. If this is done it might be safely 
fed to horses, but alone it is too rich, and should be fed in small 
quantities, especially if it has become ripe before being cut. Millet 
should be cut before the seed is ripe just after the heads are well 
formed. 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 81 

FLAX STRAW. 

There are a ^reat many farmers who allow their stock to feed 
at a flax straw pile during the winter and spring months. The 
animals no doubt are very fond of the flax seed found around the 
straw pile, but they also eat the straw and the result is sickness 
and death' We have examined calves after death and found that 
the eating of flax straw was the cause of death. There is so much 
undio-estable material in this kind of feeding that the fiber is not 
diges'ted but forms into balls in the stomach, and by these means 
the calves died. The same trouble is also apt to happen with old 
cattle and horses. Pregnant animals are frequently attacked with 
spells of colic and the result is very often the colt or the calve is 
aborted and possibly the mother is also lost. 

Flax straw does not even make good bedding, as it is too 
coarse for comfort, especially for horses. If you do not use the fiber 
in any other way, it is certainly cheaper in the end to burn it 
rather than allow your stock to eat such stuff and then lose the 
stock AVe have found large balls in the stomach of cattle who 
have been fed at a wheat or oat straw pile, and the same was 
caused by eating the pieces of twine that is always to be found 
in a straw pile. How much sooner is this destructive work done 
when the animals eat flax straw? Just such little things done 
without any thought is very often the cause of great loss to the 
owners of live stock. 



^2 THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 



APPENDIX 



PARASITES. 

We have already referred to a few, and only a few of the manv 
troubles of the lower animals caused directly by pamsites (eM er 
ammal or vegetable) The great majority of'para'itic dtia e a 
too complicated for d.seussion in a work like this; so complicated 

ttmTT T'°"''^ "^ "'"'" '''''' '""^ ""^ t'°«k' ^"'l io^ whose 
benefit the book is especially published, could not read it under- 

standmgly. There are however a few troubles caused by parasites 

that we wish to refer to in order that people may be aware of the 

cause and take steps to remove the same. Parasites living inside 

of an animal are called endoparasites, and when they live on the 

outside of the body they are called ectoparasites. We have already 

referred to some of both classes and the troubles they cause Many 

calves and lambs are attacked by what is known as lungworm dis 

toaeteVf H 'T'- !;"''• P""^"'" bronchitis, etc. According 
tothebe^t authorities this disease is mostly found in low lyin^ 
we pastures, and especially where there are stagnant pools of 
water; tat it also makes its appearance on elevated lands I has 
been said that n England, hilly farms suffer most with this dfs 
ease among sheep. Yearling calves and lambs suffer most 

SaSi^^u.^ ;i-"" « '^ -- — --- - 

toJlTmrnX^^^^t^ •""'* "'"''' '^'""^" "'^^^'y «'« ^^me symp- 
toms of dflic.lt breathing, there is spasmodic fits of coughing 

and the ammal seems to gasp for breath. The coughing genera if; 

comes on when the animals are walking. During "hefe fits ^ 

— "iirrse""""/^ ■"""^^^^''- '^•>''— memtarn?o?th 
mouth and nose is pale m color, there is often signs of bloatin*. 
and in sheep the wool will fall oft'. Sometimes thfanimaTsuffot 



THE STOCKOWNER'S GUIDE. 83 

cates during a fit of coughing. It is most common among lambs 
in fall. Suspected cases of this disease should he carefully 
examined, it may prove fatal in a few weeks after the first symp- 
toms make their appearence, or it may last for three or four 
months; the severity of the disease depends on the number of 
parasites lodged in the lungs. 

Take the mucus discharge from the mouth or nostrils, and in 
it you can see the parasites like fine threads. Sometimes by putting 
the mucus in moderately warm water they will move about. 

As a resvilt of the debility caused by this disease in calves and 
lambs, you will find upon examination that the lungs are of a pale 
red color, and often adhers to the chest, pieces of the lung tissue 
are hard and will sink in water. The parasites are often found in 
the windpipe and bronchial tubes, sometimes cloging up the latter 
causing the animal's death by sufiication. 

Now comes the most important part, viz: What can be done 
by way of treatment ? The most important step to be taken in this 
direction is in preventing the spread of the disease when it has 
made its appearance in the flock or herd. It is always a safe plan 
to remove' the sick from the healthy so that the discharges of 
mucus may not be allowed to infect the sheds or pastures where 
healthy animals are kept; even the destruction of affected animals 
is sometimes advisable if they cannot be removed from the healthy 
to some other shed or pasture. The lungs and discharges of dead 
animals should always be removed and destroyed by burning. 
Lambs should either be kept indoors and given plenty of water to 
drink before being put in the pasture every day so as to prevent 
them from drinking out of stagnant pools. All food that may be 
suspected to contain the parasites through coming in contcct with 
diseased animals should be destroyed by burning. The following 
powder is good for lambs early in spring or summer: Sulphate of 
Iron, 3 ounces; Wormwood, 2.% pounds; Asafoetida, 3 ounces; 
Charcoal, \% pounds. Mix well together and put it in ground 
feed when given to the lambs. The above quantity is sufiicient for 
150 lambs one dose each. While the above treatment is advisable 
to prevent healthy sheep taking the disease, other means must be 
adopted to assist animals that are already diseased; see that the 



84 . THE stockoavner's guide. 

affected animals have good, nutritious food. About \}4. ounces of 
Creosote divided among 100 sheep, and given in water and Benzoin, 
is also good given in the form of tincture or Friars Balsam. 

Inhalations of steam in the air passages are good, or putting 
heated stones in the building and pouring Carbolic Acid, Oil of Tar, 
Turpentine or Sulphur. The turpentine should be used very care- 
fully in this way. It could be used without any heat. Another 
plan of attatk oil these parasites is by injections into the windpipe 
of medicines that will destroy the parasites; but sucli injections 
must be very carefully applied, and some qualified person should 
be consulted previous to such treatment; but no dependence can 
be put in the treatment of this disease after it has fixed its-elf in 
the fiock or herd. The best plan is to feed and slaughter the 
affected animals, and see that the lungs and all discharges from 
the same are burnt to ashes, thus insurnig the total destruction of 
the parasites. 

TUBERCULOSIS. 

In 1882 Professor Koch made the announcement that he had 
traced this disease to the presence of a parasite. In man and the 
lower animals, tuberculosis is an infectious disease, and may be 
communicated from one person or animal to another. Even as 
far back as 1865, Yillemin showed that with the cheesy matter 
found in the tubercles, a person or animal could be inoculated 
with the disease. But Kock's statement in 1882 was so positive, 
that nearly all doubt of the correctness of his conclusions were 
laid to one side, and now it is demonstrated beyond doubt that the 
same parasite is to be found in man and the lower animals who 
are affected with this disease. 

Tuberculosis among cattle and especially milk cows is one of, 
if not the most dangerous infectious disease with which we have 
to contend. 

The most common form of tuberculosis in man is that known 
as consumption, but the disease is not confined to one particular 
organ in the body, it may attack other parts and appear as scrofula 
in children. Many of the best authorities on this subject have 
agreed that the disease is readily communicated from the flesh and 
milk of one animal to another or even to the human family. 



THE STOCKOWNEU'S GUIDE. 85 

. Tuberculosis is not so common among slieep and swine, as it is 
among cattle, and the disease is also rare among horses. • 

Many authorities declare that the expectorations coughed up 
by consumptive persons contain large numbers of parasites, and 
that through such expectorations the disease is spread to healthy 
persons and the lower animals. Pet cats and dogs have been 
known to contract the disease through eating the expectorations 
from consumptive persons. Statisticans tell us that over 10 per 
cent, of the human family die from tuberculosis, (consumption). 
Little pigs or lambs may be inoculated with the disease by drink- 
ing cow's milk. 

Poultry have oftens been found affected with tuberculosis, 
and in many cases they become inoculated by picking up the virus 
from the expectorations of consumptive persons, or from eating 
diseased organs of animals that have died with the disease; but 
tuberculosis in cattle is the most common and by far the most 
■ important, and demand^ the careful attention of sanitarians, legis- 
lators, and all other persons who wish to preserve the health, not 
only of the lower, animals, but also of the human family. 

Some of the principle causes of tuberculosis are as follows: 
TTncleanliness, overcrowding in badly ventilated barns, inhaling 
dust and smoke, which causes intlamation of the bronchial tubes. 
One of the m.ost dangerous means of communication is the use of 
milk from affected animals, and the system of continual inbreed- 
ing which causes constitutional debility and weakness. The dis- 
ease is far more common among milk cows than in other cattle 
Cattle and people living in a mountainous country are not so much 
affected as are those in low lying lands; and cattle kept shut up 
indoors are more subject to the disease than those who roam about 
on the pastures, so also are people who work outdoors less liable to 
consumption than those who are confined in the factory and work 
shop. 

Some of the more common symptoms of this disease in cattle 
are as follows: A short, dry cough, generaUy in the morning after 
feeding and watering, or after a little fast exercise. The hair looks 
unhealthy and rough; the skin is dry and seem^s to stick to the ribs. 
In the latter stages the animal will loose fiesh and show signs of 



^^ THE STOCKOWNEE'S GUIDE. 



pain when you press on the sides of the chest; but animals may be 
forgone with the disease before the casual observer will notice any 
or these symptoms. -^ 

her oT!!!t«"f ?■""■' '*''"''''' '" dangerous is not so much the num- 
ber of cattle lost by it as the large percentage of human beings who 
die annuaUy rom tuberculosis, (phthisis or consumption). iCy 
authors hold that both the rtesh and milk of tuberculous an S 
will convey the disease to man, especially is this true in regard to 
the milk; but the matter isnot quite so clear as regards t he Hesh of 
attected animals, and for this reason the parts, (glands) of the bodv 
that are specially affected are not generally used as food Buttn 
regard to the milk of cows affected with Uie disease, there can be 
no doubt but what it will convey the disease to hum^n beings It 
IS also the opinion of many authorities that a cow may have the 
disease and her milk convey the disease to people who dri kTt for 

Z'lZttllr *^^^rPf- '° •>« -'y«ilng abnormaf abJu 
the milk hence the necessity for inspection of aU dairy cows In 

GermaVatBrilusf " '^''■'""' ^"""^ '^°"'^«'°- dise'aserTh: 
German and Buttish governments are now seriously considerino- 
measures for the prevention and extirpation of this disease Thf 
day IS not far distant when the United States goverZent wUl 
take strong measures to prevent the spread of tnbercuTosl rnd 
the medical profession of the world has a great work" land to 
;:::stn''""'"'""°*""^ '^'^^^'^^ -'^ ''' preveHtLr'and t? 

Infectious Diseases of Swine. 

timJ-"''" ^' ''.'^■■a'lcli of veterinary work, that up to the present 

■ rtmeroVH''"^f ?• '^"'^ ^^P''"^^"^ *<^ '--^-^ and'pr^pe . 
treatment of Hog Cholera and Swine Plague. Although these 
diseases have not made their appearence in South DlotaNort,t 
Dakota and other northwestern states, still it is advIsaWethat we 
take every precaution that is within our reach to prevent the 
possible outbreak of such destructive scourges 

lossto the'ftr,!^''"''' "r"^ '^''''''^' '^'^^ '^"^^ a considerable 

W H,! H ' "' ^""'^ "'"' .Nebraska, and it is at least possible 

that the disease may yet visit districts where hitherto it lis bee,? 

unknown. These diseases are caused by germs, and as most 



THE STOCKOAVNER'S GUIDE. 87 

readers are aware, have caused great destruction among the hogs 
in many states. 

We very often wonder how swill fed hogs can be healthy and 
clean for human food. How is it possible to keep all kinds of 
aminal and vegetable refuse from hotel tables, all thrown together 
in a dirty recepticle that has not been cleaned nor disinfected for 
years? Thus rotting and fermenting, the putrifying mass lays 
before a burning sun in midsummer for several days, possibly for 
weeks. Here is a sure breeding place for disease germs, and with- 
out even a mild protest from those in authority, this rotten matter 
is hauled through the streets of our cities and fed to swine within 
the limits of nearly every town and city in the country; and the 
worst part of the business is, that the* animals fed on such rotten 
stuff, are put on the market as suitable food for human beings. 
It is no wonder that the animals thus fed are afflicted with some 
of the most dangerous diseases, not only to their own race but also 
to mankind. Even farmers are two careless about the cleanliness 
of the hog pen. Instead of cleaning out the wet excrement before 
fermentation sets in, the easier plan of throwing a lot of dry bed- 
ding on top of it is adopted; and, as is always the custom of hogs, 
they burrow through the dry and also the wet and putritied, and 
the result is that the very air they breath is contaminated with 
disease germs, and the wonder is that many more of them do not 
die. If you wish to ward of a possible visitation of contagious 
diseases among your hogs, do keep them clean aftd feed them good, 
clean food. Never allov/ your hogs to eat the carcass of animals 
that die from some disease. Instead of allowing the hogs to eat 
such food, take the carcasses of the dead animals and burn them 
to ashes or bury them at least six feet under the surface of the 
earth, and those who raise and feed swill fed hogs should have 
the pleasure of eating such pork after the hogs are killed. 



INDEX. 

PAGE. 

Abortion '^7 

Auodyno Liniment 75 

Anthrax 23 

Anthrax in tiie Horse 23 

Antln-ax in Horned Cattle 23 

Anthrax in Sheep 24 

Anthrax in the Hog 24 

Anthrax in the Dog 24 

BHster, Fly 74 

Bhster, Iodide of Mercury 74 

Bone (Spavin 31 

Bots 45 

Broken Bones 33 

Castration, (Lambs), 52 

Caked Bag 40 

Cracked Teats 39 

Cough 42 

Curb 31 

Capped Hock 32 

Catarrh 20 

Catarrh, Chronic 27 

(^ohar Calls 32 

Care and Feeding (> 

Cracked Heels. . . 4. 35 

Care of tlie Foot II 

Care of Pregnant Animals 37 

Care During Sickness 1<) 

Care of Sucklings 38 

Constipation 56 

Common Cold 57 

Contracted Feet 29 

Colic, Spasmodic. 17 

Colic, Flatulent 18 

Corns 29 

Cow Notes 48 

Distempter 21 

Distemper in the Dog 58 



IXDEX. 

rAGE. 

Diarrliffia 16 

DiarrlKca in the Dog 5P, 

Diabetes 19 

Docking 52 

Diseases of Kidneys 25 

Ducks..... 64 

Dry Skin 69 

Doses 6 

Flax Straw. 81 

Fomentation 64 

Farcy 44 

Founder 32 

Fistulous Withers 34 

Fleas 57 

Foot Kot 54 

Fungus Growths 41 

Giving Medicine 5 

Gaiting Young Horses 15 

Glanders 43 

Greese Leg 35 

Growth and Life of Animals 70 

Heaves 42 

Horse Notes 47 

Hygiene 10 

Hydrophobia 60 

Impaction of Colon 18 

Impaction of First Stomach 19 

Indigestion 19 

Indigestion in the Dog 58 

Incontinence of Urine 25 

Injury to the Eye 41 

Inflammation of the Bowels 19 

Lung Fever 22 

Lameness 28 

Lice 36 

Liniment, Healing 72 

Liniment, Sprain 72 

Liniment, Sweeney 73 



. IKDEX. 

I'AGE. 

Liniment, Painful SweUings 74 

Liniment, Mange 74 

Millet Hay 79 

Maggots 37 

Mange 35 

Medicine in Stock 71 

Medicine, Proper Doses 70 

Mixture, Pever 72 

Mixture, Colic 73 

Mixture, Tonic 72 

Oxaluria, (doing badly) 22 

Open Sores 35 

Parturition 38 

Paralysis v 60 

Poll Evil • 34 

Pink Eye 26 

Purpura 26 

Piles 58 

Poultry 62 

Pulse : 5 

Poultices 65 

Poisoning 66 

Periods of Gestation 69 

Powder, Cough 73 

Powder, Tonic 72 

Powder, Heaves 73 

Scouring, (Diarrhoea) 16 

Scouring in the Dog 56 

Sore Throat 20 

Sheep Dips 75 

Staggers 21 

Strains 29 

Strains of Fetlock Joint 30 

Stifled 30 

Sand Cracks ." 40 

Sores in the Mouth 41 

Skin Diseases ,.35 

^cab 54 



INDEX. 

PAGE. 

Sheep Notes 50 

Thrush 27 

Teeth 45 

Ticks 36 

Turkeys : 63 

Useful Tables, Measuring Hay 77 

Measuring Land 77 

Measuring Grain in the Bin 77 

Quantity of Corn in Ear in Crib 77 

Weight of Grain per bushel 77 

Quantity of Seed per acre 78 

Quantity of Seed in Rows 78 

Work of Team 79 

Surveyor's Square Measure 79 

Surveyor's Long Measure 79 



L«S/ °'' CONGRESS 




III! 



002 843 228 4 



